604 FIELD AND GARDEN PRODUCTS 



ence has shown that there is but one effective way of disposing of 

 these salts, and that is by thorough drainage and deep plowing. As 

 the water drains away the excess of soluble salts is carried off. Now 

 if the ditches are no deeper than the ordinary furrow it is evident 

 that only the surface of the soil can be cleared. Either tiling must 

 be employed or there must be plenty of open ditches, the main ones 

 at least 3 feet deep. 



Where the lands can not be thoroughly drained after the crop 

 has matured there is liable to be an encroachment of water grasses 

 which will grow so rapidly during the winter that they almost fully 

 possess the field. If the soil can be drained sufficiently to enable the 

 planter to put in a winter cover crop it will be found exceedingly 

 profitable, in addition to preventing the establishment of these in- 

 jurious grasses. 



Sowing. Too great care can not be exercised in selecting rice 

 for seed. It is indispensable that the seed should be free from red 

 rice, grass, and weed seeds, uniform in quality and size of kernel, 

 well filled, flinty, and free from sun cracks. Uniformity of kernel is 

 more essential in rice than in other cereals, because of the polishing 

 process. 



Time to Sow. The best time to sow rice differs in different sec- 

 tions and varies somewhat with varying conditions in the same sec- 

 tion. It may be sown between the middle of March and the middle 

 of May, but in most cases it should be sown by April 20 for the best 

 results. Sowing should take place as soon as possible after spring 

 plowing. Care must be taken to plant the several fields at different 

 periods, so that harvest will not be top crowded. The amount of rice 

 sown per acre varies in different sections and with different methods 

 of sowing, from 1 to 3 bushels per acre being used. 



Germination. Three different methods of treating the seed are 

 followed. Some let on just enough water to saturate the ground im- 

 mediately after sowing and harrowing and at once draw off any sur- 

 plus water. This insures the germination of the seed. Others sow 

 and trust to there being sufficient moisture in the land to germinate 

 the seed. This is sometimes uncertain and rarely produces the best 

 results. A few sprout the seed before planting by placing bags of 

 rice in water. This is sure to be a failure if the soil is very dry when 

 the seed is sown. In case of planting in dry soil without following 

 with water saturation, rolling the land after seeding and harrowing 

 has been found beneficial. 



Drilling. The rice should be planted with a drill. It will be 

 more equally distributed and the quantity used to the acre will be 

 exact. The seeds will be planted at a uniform depth and the earth 

 packed over them by the drill roller. It also prevents the birds from 

 taking the seeds. The roller should precede the drill. If it follows 

 the drill the feet of the horses, mules, or oxen drawing the roller will 

 press some of the planted rice 4 or 5 inches deeper into the earth than 

 the general average. Furthermore, the lumps of earth will prevent 

 the uniform operation of the drill. In rice farming too much em- 



