188 FIELD CROP PRODUCTION 



that can be irrigated and drained so as to quickly remove 

 the water when desired, and that become firm after drain- 

 ing, so that machinery and animals can pass over them, are 

 best adapted to rice culture. Low-lying fields along rivers 

 and near lakes in tropical or semi-tropical regions are by 

 virtue of their location well adapted to rice culture. The 

 upland types of rice grown on non-irrigated lands may be 

 grown upon any soil that will grow corn or cotton. 



176. Cultural methods. — In the culture of lowland 

 varieties of rice, the field is plowed either in the spring or 



Fig. 67. — Harvesting rice in Arkansas. 



fall and worked down into a fine seed bed. The seed may 

 be sown broadcast or drilled in with a grain drill. The 

 grain drill gives better results, since the seed can be placed 

 at a uniform depth in the soil, which favors uniform germi- 

 nation and growth. From one to two bushels of seed are 

 required per acre. Seeding is done any time from the 

 middle of April to the last of May. The growing season 

 is long, and if late seeding is practiced, the harvesting is 

 delayed until late fall. Some growers begin the seeding 

 early and extend the operation for some time, in order 

 that a larger acreage may be gro^vn and harvested with 



