GRASSES. 19 
The rice-fields of Carolina lie adjacent to the larger 
rivers which flow toward the sea, and down whose 
rapid currents the floods of each Spring bring a fresh 
deposit of soil. They are enclosed in some places by 
neat embankments, through openings in which the 
water is allowed to run at such times as it is needed. 
The rice-seed is sown in a rich plot of ground, and 
allowed to attain the height of a few inches, when 
the plants are removed into the fields where they are 
to grow ; the ground having been previously prepared 
by being overflowed with water until it is thoroughly 
saturated. These plantations require to be kept con- 
stantly moist, and as they usually lie below the level 
of the river, by opening the sluices in the embank- 
ments they are readily watered; this operation is 
repeated several times during its growth. 
A field of young rice is a beautiful and interesting 
sight, but the great amount of decayed vegetation 
which the soil contains, renders the atmosphere very 
unhealthy, and few persons beside the negroes em- 
ployed in cultivation can remain in the neighborhood 
with safety. 
In the list of useful grasses we must not forget 
the Bulrush spoken of in the Bible. This appears 
to be no other than the paper-reed of the Egyptians. 
The ark in which the infant Moses lay among the 
sedges of the Nile, was made of this plant. Isaiah 
speaks of the paper-reeds by the brooks, (Is. xix. 7,) 
which undoubtedly alludes to the same, as it was 
found in great abundance, not only in the shallow 
