The weekly clarion., 1881-07-07
Rice Culture.


Macon Telegraph and Messenger
This cereal is rapidly supersedlng the
cotton crop in the southern and south
eastern portion of the State, and has
been demonstrated to be far more profit
able than the fieecy staple. On high
land it requires no more attention than
corn. aud. ceteris gqribas, will yield twice
as much per acre, and sell in the rough,
or unpounded state, for fifty per cent
more In the market.
One Of the easiest and most remuner-
ative method Of cultivation is as follows:
Alter broadcasting with cotton seed,
commercial fertilizers or farm-yard ma
nure in October or November, if practi-
cable, thoroughly break up, and if con-
yeuient, harrow the surface Of the soil
and SOW IN rust-pro0f oats Care should
be taken however, that the lands made
in plowing should not be more than three
feet apart
The oats will grow of, and by shading
the earth ehectually keep down the
weeds and grass III early spring. Not
waiting 10 harvest the drop, but com
mencing about the 10Th Of April, with
an ordinary scooter plow, open the
Gland" or waiter furrow, and then with
the narrowest half shovel to be obtained
run once on each side Of the open furrow,
filling it up making the roof Of a slight
ridge, not over foot in width.
Now the ground is ready for planting,
and the seed, at the rate Of one bushel
per acre, should be dropped in hills
eighteen inches asunder, about thirty
gallons to the hill, and lightly covered
81. 4 j..o.I
1t will germinate in seven or eight DAYS,
and, protected by the standing grain
from the birds and grass, continue to
thrive until the oats are taken off in the
latter part Of May or first Of June.
The after cultivation consists in break
ing out the "middles" with a scooter or
narrow turning plow, and cleaning the
hills ofrice when needful bv the passage
of hoe between them.
Two additional plowings and one hoe
ing will usually suffice to make the crop.
BY pursuing the above course, not
infrequently thirty bushels Of oats and
the same quantity Of rough rice may be
gathered per acre inside Of one year.
When not sowed in oats, break up
and turn in all weeds and grass in the
falI-if the land is lying fallow, or in
February or March, if planted the pre-
vious year-and after carefully harrow
ing, lay off in rows two and one-half feet
apart, and SOW rs directed above, after
the spring has fairly opened. After
wards cultivate with plow and hoe as
usual When the heads turn and only
few grains remain green next to the
stalk is the proper time for harvesting.
Never attempt TO use the cradle and
scythe, as they knock the rice down and
occasion great loss. The implement EN-
ploved in cutting Is the ordinary hand
sickle.
The rice should be laid, after it IL NOW
ed for one or two days-accordinga a. the
weather NAV be-ou the stubble TO dry.
When the straw is cured, it Is ready
TO be bouad in sheaves, and either housed
or securely stacked.
The ordinary process, in the absence
of machinery, consists of threshing the
sheaves spread out upon "A floor or yard
covered with impacted clay, with ordin-
airy fail sticks. When by this means
the grain has been separated from the
straw, it is winnowed from a scahold ten
or fifteen feet in height, all the light
fragments Of straw and false rice called
"tailing,' being borne away by the least
wind
tits now ready to be measured, stacked
and shipped TO market, there to be poun-
ded and barreled up for expectation.
1t has been demonstrated in practice,
time and again, that ordinary sandy pine
land that will produce over seven or
eight bushels per acre Of corn, planted
side by side in the same field with corn
and white rice, viii yield fifteen bushels
of the latter.
The rice sells readily ut from 81 to
81 80 per bushel. On fairuplands that
will make bale Of cotton to two acres,
forty bushels of rice is not considered an
extraordinary production to the single
acre.
Rice is by far the most profitable crop
that can be raised in middle and lower
Georgia.