RICE 355 



marks the beginning of the rice industry in this coun- 

 try. 



438. Structure. Rice is grown for its grain, which 

 is used for human food. The plants vary in height from 

 two to five feet, depending upon soil and cultural condi- 

 tions. The grain is borne on short branches radiating 

 from the upper part of the culm and forming a panicle 

 somewhat similar to oats, although more compact on ac- 

 count of the short length of the pedicels bearing the spike- 

 lets. The spikelets of rice are one-flowered and, unlike 

 the other cereals, each flower has six stamens instead of 

 three. The outer glumes are very small, consisting only 

 of two small scales. The flowing glume envelops the ker- 

 nel and is frequently awned. The rice grain, as threshed, 

 consists of the kernel or caryopsis inclosed in the flowering 

 glume and palea. These outer coverings constitute the 

 hull. The rice kernel has a fluted appearance due to four 

 depressions which traverse the surface longitudinally. The 

 endosperm is quite hard and translucent, and comprises 

 the biggest portion of the kernel. The embryo, which 

 is not. imbedded in the kernel, is rubbed off in the process 

 of milling. 



The root-system of rice is quite fibrous. Like the other 

 small grains, rice tillers freely under favorable conditions 

 sending up several culms from one grain. 



439. Composition. The rice grain contains a high 

 percentage of starch and a low percentage of ash, protein, 

 crude fiber, and fat. The composition of rice and its 

 products, as determined by McDonnell l and reported 

 by Duggar, 2 is shown on next page: 



1 S. C. Agr. Exp. Sta., Bui. 59. 



2 Duggar, J. F., " Southern Field Crops," p. 219. 



