RICE GROWING IN THE SACRAMENTO VALLEY. 9 



on account of a boggy Held invariably results in reduced yields from 

 the shattering- of the grain. Besides facilitating the field operations 

 at harvest, thorough drainage is needed for other purposes. With a 

 crop that requires water so constantly and abundantly as rice there 

 is always danger of the soil becoming water-logged unless provisions 

 are made for removing the surplus water. A well-aerated soil is just 

 as essential for rice as for any other crop if maximum yields are to 

 bo maintained. To prevent alkali from accumulating in dangerous 

 quantities and for the control of aquatic weeds a good drainage sys- 

 tem is a necessity and makes possible the rotation of crops, which must 

 be practiced if the fertility of the soil is to be consei-ved. 



The rice crop is valued not so much for the yield in bushels as for 

 the yield in pounds of head rice, or whole gi-ains, which it will pro- 

 duce when milled. It is therefore important that all parts of the 

 field should mature simultaneously and that there should be no 

 delay in harvesting, for a lack of uniformity in ripening produces 

 too many chalky grains that do not mill well, and the long exposure 

 of ripe grains to the sun produces cracked kernels that break readily 

 in the process of milling. 



The milling quality of rice is further increased by prompt and 

 careful shocking. As soon as the grain is harvested the sheaves 

 should be put into round shocks. These shocks must be strongly 

 built to withstand the wind and Avell capped to protect the gi-ain from 

 rain and sun. During dry weather the process of curing requires at 

 least two weeks. This period is considerably prolonged during 

 riiiny weather. Under no circumstances should the grain be thrashed 

 uiit ii the kernel is hard and the straw thoroughly dry. After thrash- 

 ing, the quality of the gi-ain may be seriously affected by exposure to 

 rain and sun. For this reason thrashed rice should be stored at once 

 under a good cover. 



SUMMARY. 



Clay soil with an impervious subsoil, if it lies in level tracts and 

 can be well drained, is well adapted to rice. 



Shallow soils are preferable to deep soils, because less water will 

 be recpiired to submerge them. 



For rice there should be an abundant and always available supply 

 of water. 



To prepare a good seed bed on black adobe soil it is better to plow 

 in autumn than in spring. 



Sow with a drill. 



Plant in April if the land is dry and firm enough to support teams 

 and implements. 



Do not allow the soil to bake. 



Keep the necessary moisture in the soil by frequent irrigation. 



[Cir. 97] 



