12Gú-ang.
13Sáng-ag.
14Gu-yá-bang.
THE SOWING OF THE RICE AND ITS CULTURE
It is essential that the sowing take place between the time of the burning and the next full moon. But the exact date varies according to the locality. Thus, in Umaíam district, the time for sowing is said to be the ninth day after the first waning moon that follows that spell of hot weather, known as guyábang, whereas in the upper Agúsan 12 nights are counted from the first new moon after the guyábang and the sowing takes place the following day. It is thought that this procedure will insure a plentiful crop.
The method of sowing is simple. The owner of the farm takes a handful of rice from the woven-grass15 bag in the center of the clearing and scatters it broadcast. Then the members of the family complete the sowing. There seems to be a knack in so scattering the seed that it may not cover the ground too closely. Once cast upon the surface, the seed is covered16 immediately so as to get it under the ground and away from the ravages of vermin. This is done by breaking the ground slightly with bolos.
15Kam-bu-yaí.
16The process of covering the seed is called hi-la-bón.
As a protection against weeds, camotes, sugarcane, and even maize are planted in places where the rice is not so close, and especially where the weeds have sprung up. These latter must be removed from time to time until the crop is sufficiently tall to shade the ground. This and all subsequent work connected with the farm, except the making of wild-boar traps and the caring for them, falls upon the women and children.