152 AGRICULTURE 



southern states, especially those along the Gulf of Mexico. There 

 are two distinct varieties : lowland rice, for which the fields have 

 to be flooded at certain seasons, and upland rice, which is culti- 

 vated in practically the same way as other cereals, such as oats. 



For lowland rice the land is prepared as for other grain, and the 

 rice is sowed broadcast or put in drills and covered to a depth of 

 about two inches. Then water is turned on from irrigating ditches 



Courtesy of Arkansas Agricultural Station 



THRESHING AND LOADING RICE 



and is allowed to stand several days. It is then drawn off; after 

 the plants get a good start, it is turned on again and is drawn off 

 before harvest time. The crop is harvested and threshed very 

 much like wheat. 



The fact that the water needed is supplied by irrigation makes 

 it practically a sure crop; and it is proving a profitable crop in 

 Texas and Louisiana and other states where climate and moisture 

 conditions are favorable. 



EXERCISE 



1. Plant grains of each of the cereals in a box with glass sides, as 

 described in experiment 4 on page 72, and watch and compare the de- 

 velopment of the plants. 



2. Cultivate in carefully prepared plots each one of these six cereals 

 that is adapted to your climate and conditions. Compare their habits 



