RICE EXPERIMENTS IN CALIFORNIA. 43 
Of the 133 varieties and selections grown during the four years 
from 1918 to 1921 a considerable number slightly exceeded the 
average of the two nearest check rows in yield. Among the best of 
these were Selection Xos. 115, 118, 131, 134, 138, 146, 147, 175, 
185, 187, 206, 216. and 233 and C. I. Xos. 2030, 2294, 2295 (Take- 
nari), and 2316 (Omachi). Although several strains produced as 
high an average yield, 3.31 pounds, no other exceeded the average 
of the two nearest checks by as large a figure as Omachi. In all 
■cases the varieties that have equaled or exceeded Wataribune in 
yield are nearly as late as or later than Wataribune. Earliness and 
high yield are not commonly found in the same variety, especially 
when grown on old rice land. 
LEADING VARIETIES OF RICE FOR CALIFORNIA. 
Superior yielding and milling rices may be obtained in three 
■distinct ways. These are (1) by introducing new varieties from 
other rice-growing States or countries, (2) by selecting superior 
strains from established varieties, and (3) by breeding or hybridiza- 
tion. The third method is expensive and requires several years to 
determine the relative merits of the various forms produced. 
At the Biggs Rice Field Station the first and second methods of 
improvement have been followed. Varieties have been introduced 
from practically all the rice-producing countries of the world, and 
many selections have been made since the station was first estab- 
lished. Determination of the value of these varieties and selections 
has constituted a large part of the work of the station, as reported 
in detail in the preceding pages. 
The station has attempted to obtain by introduction and selec- 
tion a variety or varieties that would yield well, mill well, and mature 
from 10 days to two weeks earlier than the standard, or late, Watari- 
bune variety, which was sown very extensively in California from 
1912 to 1917. Wataribune yields and mills well, but it matures late, 
and there is danger of loss of or damage to the crop in years when 
the fall rains begin earl}'. For this reason early-maturing varieties 
that yield and mill well have been constantly in demand, because 
such varieties, if found, reduce the chances of loss or damage to the 
rice crop due to early fall rains. 
The principal rice varieties now grown in California are briefly 
described in the following pages. 
EARLY WATARIBUNE. 
Early Wataribune was introduced from Japan by W. K. Brown, 
manager of the Moulton ranch, in 1913, when a lot of 800 pounds 
was imported and sown on 10 acres. This introduction was a mix- 
ture of several varieties; some were early, others late. About 90 
per cent of it, however, was from 4 to 10 days earlier than standard, 
or late. Wataribune. It was introduced under the name of Watari- 
bune, but because of its earlier maturity it has been known locally 
as Early Wataribune, or ''10-day Wataribune." 
Early Wataribune is a short-grain rice which yields well on new 
or old rice land. It matures about one week earlier, but usually 
yields slightly less than standard, or late, Wataribune. This rice 
does not lodge or shatter badly and mills well. Early Wataribune is 
