IRRIGATION FOR RICE 367 



the alluvial lands of the Mississippi River the seed is sown 

 broadcast by hand, but on the prairie soils seeding with the 

 ordinary grain drill (135) is preferred because of the saving of 

 seed and uniformity of germination. (131) The rotary broad- 

 cast seeder, however, is frequently used. (412) In the South 

 Atlantic States the land is laid off with a trenching hoe into 

 small furrows two to three inches deep, three to five inches wide 

 and twelve to fifteen inches apart. Into these drill rows the seed 

 is deposited and covered lightly, or more rarely left uncovered, 

 in which case the seeds are sometimes soaked in thick clay 

 water to prevent seed from floating away. The rate of seeding 

 varies from one to three bushels per acre of rough rice. In the 

 South Atlantic States two and one-half to three bushels are 

 customary', while in the South Central States one to two bushels 

 are ordinarily used. In new fields or in fields not infested with 

 red rice, if any such exist, great care should be taken to use 

 seed that is absolutely free from it. 



515. Application of Water. — When lack of moisture makes 

 it necessary, the land is flooded immediately after seeding for 

 a few days to sprout the seed, when the water is removed. 

 The land is then left until the plants are well started. In the 

 South Central States flooding usually occurs when plants are six 

 to ten inches high, which is from one to two months after seed 

 ing. The water remains on the land continuously until the 

 grains are in the milk, when it is removed for the crop to ripen, 

 which requires about a week. The period of irrigation varies 

 from two to three months, usually about seventy days. Flood- 

 ing usually takes place in June and the water is removed in 

 August. The depth of water used varies, particularly with the 

 supply. A uniform covering of three to six inches is con- 

 sidered satisfactory, although six to twelve inches are recom- 

 mended. The water is constantly renewed in order to keep it 

 from becoming stagnant, particularly to prevent the growth of 

 weeds which are more abundant in stagnant water. The method 



