12 
Bulletin 1356, U. S. Department of Agriculture 
Table 8. — Annual and average yields of Wataribune rice obtained in the seed- 
bed preparation experiments at the Bice Experiment Station, Crowley, La., 
during the 4-year period from 1911 to 1920, inclusive 
Character of preparation (depth of plowing, 
Yields per acre (pounds) 
5 to 7 inches) 
1917 
1918 
1919 
1920 
Average 
Seed-bed surface: 
2,020 
1,780 
1,850 
2,760 
1,080 
1,680 
1,960 
2,600 
1,728 
2,205 
The average increase of 477 pounds of rice per acre obtained on 
a smooth seed bed shows that a rough bed is not suited for the seed- 
ing of rice. A good stand of rice can not be obtained unless the 
seed is evenly distributed in the row and below the soil surface. To 
distribute seed at the proper distance in the row and at the desired 
depth, the soil must have a comparatively smooth surface and good 
tilth for at least 2 inches in depth. If the land has been carefully 
plowed, this soil condition can be obtained without much expense 
by the use of disk, harrow, and drag. Under unfavorable weather 
conditions soil in good tilth increases the chances of germination 
and quick growth of the young rice plants. . 
DATE OF SEEDING 
In the date-of-seeding experiments the land was plowed in winter 
to a depth of 5 to 7 inches and the seed sown at different dates on 
a smooth seed bed with a drill to a depth of 2 inches at the rate 
of 80 pounds per acre. The average yields obtained in these experi- 
ments for periods of varying length in the 7-year period from 1917 
to 1923, inclusive, which are given in Table 9, show that the best 
approximate date for sowing rice probably is May 14. The rela- 
tively light rainfall during the first three weeks in May insures 
good soil preparation and therefore better stands. These conditions 
usually are not obtainable in the last week of May and in June, 
on account of heavier precipitation. 
Table. 9. — Annual and average yields of Watarioune rice obtained in the 
date-of-seeding experiments at the Rice Experiment Station, Croivley, La., 
during periods of varying length in the seven years from 1917 to 1923, 
inclusive 
Yields per acre (pounds) 
Average 
date of 
Annual 
Average for years stated (dates 
inclusive) 
seeding 
1917 
1918 
1919 
1920 
1921 
1922 
1923 
3 years, 
1920 to 
1922 
4 years, 
1919 to 
1922 
4 years, 
1920 to 
1923 
5 years, 
1917 
and 
1919 to 
1922 
Apr. 30 
2,760 
"3,086' 
2,620 
2,710 
2,550 
1,910 
1,750 
2,100 
2,400 
1,780 
1,010 
1,660 
1,870 
2,240 
1,340 
"~L250~ 
1,270 
1,793 
2,157 
2,273 
1,977 
~~2~38y 
~~L840~ 
1,680 
~~2~6i7~ 
1,800 
May 14 
May 28 .. 
1,780 
2,266 
June 14 
1,256 
1,430 
1,723 
