10 Bulletin 1356, U. S. Department of Agriculture 
The land used in the experiments was plowed in late autumn or 
early winter to a depth of 5 to T inches except as the depth was 
varied in the depth-of -plowing experiments and was well drained 
during the winter. A smooth seed bed was obtained by dragging 
the plowed land in spring before double-disking it. It was then 
harrowed, after which a float was used upon it. After another 
double-disking the float was again used. The land was then har- 
rowed and seed sown immediately. Harrowing after the float leaves 
the surface soil loose and finely divided to a depth of several inches 
and makes a seed bed which retains moisture so well that irriga- 
tion is seldom used to promote germination. A rough seed bed 
was prepared by dragging the plowed land in spring before disking 
and harrowing only once before the seed was sown. 
The rice seed was sown with a drill to a depth of 2 inches during 
the first week of May at the rate of 80 pounds per acre, except in 
the seeding experiments. In these the manner, date, rate, and 
depth of seeding depended upon the factor, under investigation. 
The irrigation water was applied to the plats approximately 30 
days after the rice plants emerged. At this time the average height 
of the plants ranged from 8 to 13 inches. Throughout the re- 
mainder of the growing season an average depth of approximately 
6 inches of water was maintained. In the irrigation experiments, 
the time of application and depth of submergence varied according 
to the particular factor under investigation. Fresh water was ad- 
mitted to the plats when needed to equal the losses from seepage, 
evaporation, and transpiration. 
The plats were drained when the panicles were well turned down. 
The grain was harvested with a hand hook and put in large shocks, 
where it remained for several weeks before it was threshed. The 
shocks were strongly built to withstand the wind and so capped that 
the grain was protected from rain as well as sun. 
SEED-BED PREPARATION 
PLOWING 
Plowing is the first tillage operation in the preparation of a seed 
bed for rice. It is important, for it provides a surface on which 
the necessary tillage prior to seeding can be satisfactorily done. 
The rice fields of southwestern Louisiana should be plowed in late 
autumn or early winter, the weather conditions of November being 
very favorable for 'field work on account of the comparatively small 
precipitation during this month. At this time plowing can be more 
thoroughly done and with less time and labor than in December and 
January, when the increasing number of rainy days necessarily in- 
terferes with effective work. The soil of early -plowed land that is 
well drained during the winter usually is well aerated. It pul- 
verizes easily in spring and can be worked readily into condition 
for seeding. Winter-plowed land, however, must 'be kept free of 
surface water. Lack of winter drainage may necessitate a second 
plowing in the spring and require much labor to get even an average 
seed bed. Land that is plowed in spring must be disked and har- 
