3S8 



THE CEREALS IN AMERICA 



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502. The Plant. — The cuhns of the rice plant vary in length 

 from two to six feet, usually from four to five feet, depending 



upon soil, water and methods of cul- 

 ture. The Louisiana Station has 

 found the straw as ordinarily har- 

 vested to vary from 1.6 to 2.3 pounds 

 for each pound of rough rice.^ Like 

 the other so-called small grains, rice 

 tillers freely ; one seed sending up 

 many culms when conditions are 

 favorable. The spikelets are one- 

 flowered, arranged on short pedicels 

 so as to make a compact panicle in 

 appearance somewhat intermediate 

 between oats and barley. The outer 

 glumes consist of two small scales or 

 bristles, underneath w^hich are two 

 more minute rudimentary ones. The 

 flowering glume is frequently awned. 



The flower of rice differs from all other cereals, having six 



stamens instead of three. 



503. The Grain. — The fruit or caryopsis of rice is enveloped 

 in the flowering glume and palea, which remain attached when 

 threshed. When in this condition, rice is known as paddy. 

 The flowering glume and palea are usually referred to as the 

 husk or hulls, while the pericarp, testa and nucellus correspond- 

 ing to the bran of wheat are referred to as the cuticle. The 

 surface of the rice kernel is marked with four longitudinal 

 depressions which give it a fluted appearance. The embryo is 

 not embedded in the kernel but is so exposed that it is easily 

 rubbed off in the process of milling. The cells of the aleurone 

 layer are relatively small in one to two rows. Evidently these 

 cells are removed by the polishing process. (526) The endo- 



I La. Bui. 6i, 2nd. sen, p. 392. 



Stool of Honduras rice from a single 

 seed. (After Bond.) 



