177 



off at the time of low tide. The gate at either end of the trunk is so 

 arranged as to act as a valve, the pressure of the water against it serv- 

 ing to keep it shut unless it is held open by a lever provided for that 

 purpose and worked from the top of the retaining bank or levee. 

 Water flowing in at a time of high tide can be retained on the field 

 for as long a time as is desirable, for when the tide drops, the water 

 inside of the levee is held by the automatic closing of the inner gate. 

 In the same manner, when it is desired to drain the field, the inner 

 gate is held permanently open, while the outer one closes when the 

 tide is up, thus preventing any inflow. 



Drainage forms an essential part of rice culture, being absolutely 

 necessary at the time of harvesting. Undertiling is of advantage in 

 the Atlantic coastal fields only when the water is supplied from reser- 

 voirs or lakes. The rivers carry too much sediment during the freshet 

 season to make a system of under-drainage successful, as the tiles 

 would soon become clogged ; yet the slopes are for the most part fit 

 for good drainage with but little grading. A system of low dikes and 

 small ditches through the field accomplishes the desired results of 

 equable application and depth of water, with rapid run-off when a 

 draining of the field is desired. 



Rice is a shallow feeder. Its mass of roots spreads out just below 

 the surface, and none of them strike down to any great depth. On 

 this account all ploughing is shallow, generally not more than 3 or 4 

 inches deep, though a greater depth might be advantageous as giving 

 more p' ant food. In some places the ground is so stiff that it is 

 flooded before ploughing. Afterwards it is put in condition by disc 

 harrow and roller. 



On lands flooded by rivers which carry rich sediment fertility is 

 easily assured, but in many instances, and particularly in the growing 

 of upland rice, fertilizer is needed, and this should be of a high grade 

 to give best results, as cheap fertilizer is a false economy. Naturally 

 the fertilizer varies in different localities ; but cotton-seed meal, blood 

 and bone, and other well known mixtures are used, most of them con- 

 taining a good percentage of potash. 



In planting great care must be exercised in the selection of the 

 seed rice, in order that it may be free from the voluntet-r "red" rice 

 and from weed seeds. Uuiforin kernels are also desirable, as a uni- 

 form crop will permit of a higher polish than kernels that vary. The 

 seed is sown in March and April, and early sowing has many advan- 

 tages, though some crops are put in as late as June, with varieties 

 which mature quickly. The time of sowing also differs in different 

 sections, and is affected by the weather and to some degree by the mi- 

 grations of birds, which work havoc on the crop, either when planted 

 or in the fall when the grain is in the "milk" stage. The grain is 

 planted either in drills or in hoed trenches and dropped by hand. 

 The drilled method insures an even stand, which is a matter of some 

 importance. It may be even planted broadcast and harrowed in or it 

 may be planted in hills. Some planters recommend the latter method, 

 as it ensures easy cultivation and a more effective campaign against 

 weeds. 



After planting, the next important step is flooding, and this is done 

 soon after the seed is sown, sometimes on the same day. Seed that is 



