FARMER'S ASSISTANT. si 3 



There seems, indeed, a natural disposiiion in plants to 

 accommodate themselves to the climate in which they are 

 cultivated. If they have been long grown in warm and 

 lengthy Summer*, their growth, and the time required for 

 it, become proportionately increased, and vice versa, when 

 gradually accustomed to cooler and shorter Sum OUTS 



Calculating, therefore, >n this disposition of plants, wd 

 think it not improbable thai the culture ot rice mxy gradu- 

 ally woik its way into more northtily climates, till it will 

 be found practicable to mature the crop in almost every 

 part of the United States; and although the pLnt will be 

 found diminished in size, as it is grown farther to the 

 north; yet, as on ihat account it wil! admit of being planted 

 more closely, it will probably si.ffVr no diminution ot its 

 product in grain. 



We b< Ik ve that almost every kind of soil is fited for the 

 growth of rice, that is sufficiently moist and rich. We 

 have even seen it flourish on a moist sandy loam, in North* 

 Carolina. 



Edrly in the Spring, the ground is to be fited with the 

 plough for the reception of the seed, which is to be drilled 

 in, in rows, at the distance of about twenty-seven inches 

 apart When the young plants have acquired a suitable 

 height, the weeds are to be eradicated from the crop witli 

 the plough, or with a small harrow, to be guided by handles 

 behind, run twice between the rows, and the work is then 

 completed with the hoe, and perhaps some hand- weeding. 



In due season, after this, the water is to be occasionally 

 let on the ground, for the purpose ot killing the weeds and 

 grass; and then to be let off ag-iin, in order that the crop 

 may have such further ploughing and hoeing as may be ne- 

 cessary. If water is not to be used, the growing crop is to 

 be kept clear of weeds, like other hoed crops, till the 

 ground becomes sufficiently shaded to prevent any further 

 trouble from them. 



The grain will be found sufficiently ripened, while the 

 stalks are still green ; and on this account they are valua- 

 ble, as a substitute tor hay. If the crop be flooded, the 

 water is to be let off in due season, so that the ground can 

 be laid sufficiently dry before harvesting. In regard to this 

 operation, we will merely observe, that he who understands 

 the manner of harvesting wheat, rye, barley, or oats need 

 be at no loss as to the best method of gathering this crop; 

 remembering, however, that the straw should be sufficiently 

 dried before threshing, or storing the crop away. 



The separating of the grain from the straw may, no doubt, 

 be advantageously done with a threshing-machine; or it may 

 ke performed in <riy of the other methods of threshing. 

 See THRESHING. 



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