42 PROCEEDINGS OF THE [Dec, 18G0. 



( two transverse and two per[)en(iiciilar ) held together by tenons on the trans- 

 verse running through the perpendiculars, and extending about 8 inches be- 

 yond, thus forming a rectangle of equal area to that of the mouth of the culvert. 

 These Faces are secured to the body of the trunk by mortice and tenon. On 

 the outside of the perpendiculai-s of these faces, the UpingliU of the trimk are 

 fastened by the extended tenons of the transverse pieces nuining through mor- 

 tices in the uprights and secured by keys. These Uprights are 8 or 9 feet long, 

 and upon the summit of each a cross piece is tenoned ; these support a trans- 

 vei-se piece running from one to the other, as an axis from which is suspended 

 the Dom' of the trunk. The Doors, which close the mouth of the trunk at 

 either end, are made of 3 or 4 in, plank battened together, and so an-anged as 

 for either to smng off by its Arms when the water is flo-^ing through the trunk 

 from the opposite end, and to close against the entrance of water from its ovm 

 side, and to be hoisted at the end from which it is desired the water should flow. 

 The accompanying diagram will, perhaps, make this description inteUigible. 



In fields recently embanked, before the soil becomes compact by cultivation, 

 or filled with gi*asses, the land is not turned preparatory^ to planting, but old 

 lands are turned by the plough or hoe during the Winter. 



Early in the Spring the plowed fields are haiTowed, and the pulverization 

 and levelling completed by the hoe. About the 20th March Planting is be- 

 gun. The fields are trenched in drills or rows 13 or 14 in. apart, either by hoe 

 or trenching plough, and the Rice is sowed by hand, at the rate of two and a 

 half bushels per acre, and covered lightly. The water is now put on the field 

 to the depth of about a foot on level fields, or deep enough to cover the highest 

 portions in those of uregular surface, and is kejjt on until, upon examination, 

 the Rice is found to be ' ' pipped, " that is, the gei-m shows itself as a small white 

 point near the end of the giain. ( The valves of the glume do not open or sep- 

 arate, but the germ forces its way through'a small apertui-e which it makes, the 

 sides of which press closely aroimd the "sprout " to keep the water out. ) This 

 watering is called the "■ Spi'out Fl/m." 



As soon as the Rice is pipped, the water is drawn off, and in a few daj'S the 

 young plant makes its appearance. When it is all above gi'oimd, and the row 

 can be traced across the field by the eye, the water is again put on, and is re- 

 tained for 4 to 6 days, as the weather may be waiToer or cooler. "NMien first 

 put on, the water should cover the highest part of the field, in order to wet 

 the hills thoroughly, and after 36 hours ( three tides ) it is "slacked down, " so 

 {IS just to cover the " average level " of the field. This is called the ''Point 

 Flow." Its object is to push the Rice forward, to put it out of the way of the 

 birds and of the early grasses, and to ' ' stretch up " the lower part of the field, 

 in order to bring the plant nearer to a general level. 



The field is dried again ; and, as soon as the size of the Rice will allow, it is 

 hoed with a 7 inch hoe. After an interval of about a fortnight, it is again hoed, 

 more deeply than before, and in a day or two after, the water is again put on. 

 This is the * ' L<mg Water, " and is continued from 12 to 30 days, and then the 

 field is dried the third time. The same overtopping for two or three tides is 

 practised in this as in the Toint Flow, before the water is " slacked down " to 



