158 RICE CULTTJEE. — WHEAT. 



Clammy rice will grow both on swamps and uplands. 



Rice is generally sown in drills, into which it is 

 dropped by hand ; after which the water is let on for 

 several days, to the depth of some inches, when it is 

 removed till the rice has sprouted and grown to the 

 height of from two to four inches. The water is then 

 again let on, and suffered to remain for some days. 

 This destroys the grass and weeds, if any. Aftei* this 

 it is occasionally hoed and cultivated, to keep it free 

 from weeds. 



The harvest commences generally in August, and 

 continues through September ; and it is generally cut 

 with sickles, and gathered up into bundles. 



Rice is very extensively cultivated in China and in 

 India, and along the River Po, in Lombardy. It is prob- 

 ably used as human food by a larger number than any 

 other cereal grain. 



Wheat. 



Wheat {Triticum vulgare) is an annual herbaceous 

 plant, of many varieties, all arising, probably, from the 

 same parent, but modified by varieties of climate, soil, 

 and culture. 



Wheat possesses, of course, the same general charac- 

 teristics as the rest of the gramineaa. The seed is ob- 

 long, or a compressed oval, surrounded by scales or 

 chaff, which are easily removed. That side of the ker- 

 nel or fruit which was next to the rachis in growing is 

 marked by a deep groove separating the mealy parts in 

 the m'iddle. On the other side a small oval is seen. This 

 is the seat of the embryo, or place where the germ of 

 the new plant is to take its start. This is also the point 

 of attachment of the pedicel on which the kernel grew, 

 and through which it derived all its growth and nour- 

 ishment. On arriving at maturity a detachment takes 



