CULTURE. VARIETIES. 157 



comparatively easy of cultivation. The grain is there 

 separated from the husk by means of pestles and 

 mortars. 



The introduction of rice as a cultivated plant in the 

 United States is of modern date. It was brought to 

 South Carolina from the island of Madagascar towards 

 the close of the seventeenth century, and, though for 

 many years no means of cleaning it effectually were 

 known, yet its cultivation extended, till finally the meth- 

 ods of cleaning were so far perfected as to justify the 

 reputation which the growers acquired, of producing 

 the best rice in the world. 



The swamps and the climate of South Carolina are so 

 admirably adapted to this plant that its culture is car- 

 ried on at comparatively small expense of labor, while 

 the grain itself arrives at great perfection, and is ac- 

 knowledged to be of very fine quality, being generally 

 larger than in the countries where it was originally 

 grown. It has now become an exceedingly important 

 article of export. 



Eice requires a great supply of moisture; and, unless 

 rains are frequent, or the means of irrigation are at 

 hand, it will prove unproductive. 



There are several varieties. They originated, proba- 

 bly, in differences of soil, climate, and culture. 



The common rice requires for its successful cultiva- 

 tion a wet marsh, and on any other situation it fails to 

 grow. It may be considered as almost an aquatic plant. 

 Another variety, known as early rice, requires a similar 

 soil, but is smaller, and comes to maturity earlier, and 

 will generally ripen in about four months ; while com- 

 mon rice requires six months. 



Mountain rice will succeed with less moisture. I am 

 not aware that this variety has been cultivated, to any 

 extent, in this country. 

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