222 



SOILS AND PLANT LIFE 

 Rice 



156. The Soil Requirements of Rice. — Rice is con- 

 sumed more largely by the human race than is any other 

 grain. This is due to the fact that it succeeds well in the 

 centers of densest population, as in India, China and Japan. 



Fig. 95. — A field of growing rice. 



The production of rice has increased rapidly in the 



United States in the last ten to twenty years. Lowlands 

 in the southern part of this country not suited to other 

 crops produce an excellent grade of this grain. It is 

 required that these lowlands be capable of being drained 

 or flooded at %vill. 



157. Preparation of the Seed Bed. — The land is 

 plowed while it is dry in the fall and winter months if the 

 soil is of such a character as to permit of this. Certain 

 types of rice soil, however, can not be worked in this 



