RICE 365 



The metho'd of planting rice in the South Atlantic 

 states differs somewhat from that employed in the Gulf 

 states. In discussing rice planting in South Carolina 

 Knapp says, "Just prior to seeding the land is thoroughly 

 harrowed, all clods pulverized, and the surface smoothed. 

 Trenches 12 inches apart and 2 to 3 inches deep are made 

 with 4-inch trenching hoes at right angles to the drains, 

 and the seed is dropped in these. This is usually covered, 

 but occasionally a planter, to save labor, stirs the seed 

 in clayed water, enough clay adhering to the kernels 

 to prevent their floating away when > the water is ad- 

 mitted." 



449. Irrigation practice. — The practices employed 

 in the flooding of rice vary in dilBferent sections of the rice- 

 belt. Irrigation water should not be applied to the crop 

 until the plants are 6 to 8 inches high except where the 

 application of water is necessary to germinate the seed. 

 If a good stand has been secured and the crop is making 

 a vigorous growth, thus shading the land completely, 

 the water need not stand more than two inches deep. 

 In case of a thin stand the water should stand from 4 to 

 ,6 inches deep. To avoid stagnation and the growth of 

 certain injurious plants, the water should be constantly 

 renewed by permitting a continuous, inflow into the high 

 part of the field and a continuous outflow from the lowest 

 part. 



In Louisiana and Texas, water for irrigating rice is sup- 

 plied by rivers, bayous, or deep wells from which it is 

 pumped into the main canals. In lifting this water the 

 centrifugal type of pump has been found most satisfac- 

 tory. The capacity of centrifugal pumps can be calculated 

 from the following data by Bond of the United States 

 Department of Agriculture: 



