The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1859-06-30
From the Salisbury Wutcbn.dn.1

Ia L ON a hlCE PLANTATION.
70 many of your readers doubtless the mode of
planting and cutivatng this great article of food
as much unknown as if it were only grown in the
East Indies All, however, are acquainted with
its excellent qualities as nourishing diet.
The plantation which visited was that of Col T.
ID. Meares of Brunswick. The broad fiat piece of
ground of many acres, extends along the river and
out upon adjacent creeks; the land is divided into
''tas ks" by bitches running through in every di-
rection, though mostly crossing each other at
right angles. No plows are used, the whole work
being done with a short hoe, and long narrow
one. When set of hands put into one of these
tasks they must smooth it off make the little trench
rows, sow the seed and it, all in the same day
The tasks are really given to only one as for in
stance, it is the work of one to smooth so much
ground; of another to trench after him; of another
to SOW the seed and another to cover it. The num-
bers OF these tasks make ted this field is not
fenced in, but surrounded by large ditch and en-
bankment. These are designated as Nos. |, 2,
3, &c., and contain 10, l5 or 20 acres. There is
no fencing, the great body of land containing a
number OF fields, being surrounded by large
canal.
Having given you faint idea of how the land
lies, we will see how it is cultivated. In the FALL
after the rice Is cut, as soon perfectly dry the
stubble is burned off. Sometimes the weather will
not allow this, then it remains and is chopped under
in the winter. In December the whole land in
tended for cultivation is gone over with the hoe
eaking clods, &c. In March the planting season
begins, and from that time onward is the rush. AS
as field is planted it is covered with water
and so remains until the rice is pretty well grown
The water is then let off, and after the field is
gone over with the hoe to chop out grass and
work the rice. This is done twice before the crop
rpens. The irrigation is managed so that when
when one field is under water, another may be dry.
Several hands are constantly employed in clearing
out bitches, stopping leaks in embankments, &c.
Every kind of bird is lover of rice, and an enc
my to the interests of the rice planters but the one
most dreaded is the rice-bird. 1t is a small bird of
darkish brown color, with sharp stout bill with
which it grasps the stalk of rice and squeezes the
milk fromi as etiectualy if done with pair Of
nippers. The only means of getting rid of them is
by powder and shot; and though thousands upon
thousands killed, they still appear as thick as at
first During the season of killing, hogs and dogs
upon the plantation all get fat. The negroes are
provided with guns, and stand upon the banks and
shoot from morning until night. When flock OF
these birds come down near rce-tield, they swoop
down with noise like thunder, and the beautiful
green rice-salks fall down before them, as does the
rice before the reapers hook. Left to themselves
but few hours would suffice to clear the field but
a half dozen muskets scare them off for time
But few who do not live in that section have any idea
! of the immense damage which they do to the rice
planters, and suppose there is no means of correct
calculation as they never fail to appear, though
| more numerous some years than others. Mr.. Meare:
informed me that last year he consumed 35 kegs O
powder in shooting them, and that one year he hat
used as much as 5O Kegs. The shot was in pro
| portion. sl-o
Of late years on extensive trade had grown nm i,
the rice straw. The scarcity of hav and the inferi
ority of the article brought from the North induce,
Mr. Meares some years ago to try cured rice stra w
to put up with clover with salt and water. 1t suc
| ceeded well, and for that which he sent to marke
he found ready sale Other planters adopted il
| and the rice straw is now very generally used as
food for horses, &c. Though by no means eouaI :
the hay which you have and is everywhere in tn
West yet it is far superior to the Northern anoloo
J tor hay, which has for SO long been an article
food in the Cape Fear region. IA 7r; ~N-sSsY
The plantation of COL Meares ia one of tbs o,aa,