OF AGRICULTURE. 157 



on, the top leaves being left a little above the water. 

 Complete immersion would kill the plant. About 

 two weeks previous to harvest, the water is drawn 

 off to give the stalks strength, and to dry the ground 

 for the convenience of the reapers. The same space 

 of ground, yields three times as much rice as wheat. The 

 only labor after sowing, is to see that the rice is 

 properly irrigated ; except, in some localities where 

 aquatic plants prove troublesome, the water effectually 

 destroying all others. The rice grounds of the lower 

 Mississippi, produce about seventy-five dollars' worth 

 of rice per acre. The variety called the Creole white 

 rice, is esteemed the most profitable and best. 



CULTIVATION OF UPLAND RICE. 



In the eastern part of the State of Mississippi, 

 called the piney ivoods, rice has been very generally 

 cultivated upon the uplands. Although it cannot 

 be made a profitable article of export, yet it affords 

 the people of the interior an abundant supply of a 

 healthy food for themselves, and a good provender 

 for their cattle. Unlike other kinds of grain, it can 

 be kept for many years, in a warm climate, without 

 spoiling ; by winnowing it semi- annually. 



It is cultivated entirely with the plow and har- 

 row, and grows well on the pine barrens. A kind of 

 shovel-plow, drawn by one horse, is driven through 

 the unbroken pine forest; not a tree being cut or 

 belted, and no grubbing being necessary, as there is 

 little or no undergrowth. The plow makes a shallow 

 furrow, an inch or two in depth ; the furrows are 

 placed about three feet apart. The rice is dropped 

 into them and covered with a harrow. The middles, 



