366 FIELD CROPS FOR THE COTTON-BELT 



Table 36. Duty op CENTBipnaAL Pump for Irrigating. 

 Lifting Water Less than 35 Feet 



When the plants have reached a height of 6 to 8 inches 

 the field is flooded with water to a depth of 2 to 6 inches. 

 The field is kept flooded until a short while before harvest, 

 when the water is withdrawn and the soU allowed to be- 

 come firm before the crop is cut. 



In South Carolina the usual practice is to let the water 

 on the land for four or five days immediately after planting, 

 to germinate the seed. This is spoken of as the "sprout 

 water." When the grain is well sprouted the water is with- 

 drawn. As soon as the rice has reached the two-leaf stage 

 the "stretch water" is put on to a depth of 10 or 12 inches 

 at first, afterwards being drawn down to about 6 inches 

 where it is held for three or four weeks. ■ The land is then 

 drained and the crop hoed. No more water is admitted 

 imtil the plants begin to joint, at which time they are 

 again hoed, and the water turned on to remain until about 

 eight days before harvest when It is withdrawn. This last 

 irrigation is known as the "harvest water "or "lay by flow." 



