362 FIELD CROPS FOR THE COTTON-BELT 



adapted to wheat or cotton provided the climate is favor- 

 able. 



445. Drainage. The fact that rice is a water plant 

 has caused most rice-growers to underestimate the value 

 of good drainage as an aid in producing both maximum 

 yields and a superior quality of grain. Experience has 

 amply demonstrated that good drainage is equally as 

 essential for rice as for wheat and most other field crops. 

 The chief benefits which the rice-grower derives from good 

 drainage are: (1) It permits more thorough preparation of 

 the seed-bed; (2) earlier planting is possible; (3) a better 

 stand is secured; (4) the rapid accumulation of alkali is 

 prevented; (5) it permits the rapid removal of the flood 

 waters before harvest and thereby allows the soil to be- 

 come sufficiently firm to permit the use of improved 

 machinery in the harvesting of the crop; (6) a more uni- 

 form ripening is secured, and consequently a better quality 

 of grain is produced. 



Drainage is most easily effected by means of open 

 ditches. Where this system of drainage is employed the 

 main ditches should be at least three feet deep. Tile 

 drainage, while often practicable, is usually not resorted 

 to because of the expense and because the sediment carried 

 by the water during freshet seasons often clogs the drains. 



446. Soils, rotations and fertilizers. The best rice 

 soils are silty loams underlain by a semi-impervious sub- 

 soil. Very loose-structured soils are not suitable for rice 

 as they will not retain the irrigation water. The fertile 

 drift prairie soils of Louisiana and Texas are examples of 

 excellent rice soils. They are composed of a loamy top 

 soil underlain by a rather impervious clay which makes 

 them quite retentive of water. 



Rice is seldom grown in a rotation with other crops. The 



