The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1881-06-07
TPLA ND RICE IN GEORGIA.
Macon Teleeraph and Messenger


| This cereal is rapidly superseding the
cotton crop in the southern and south
western portions of the State. and has
been demonstrated to be far more profita-
bic than the fieecy staple On high land
1t requires no more attention than corn,
and, ceteris paribus," will yield twice as
much per acre, and sell in the rough or
unpounded state for so per cent. more in
the market.
One of the easiest and most remunera-
tive methods of cultivation is as follows ::
After broadcasting with cotton seed,
commercial fertilizers or farmyard manure,
in October or November, if practicable,
thoroughly break up, and, if convenient,
harrow the surface Of the soil and SOW in
rust-proof oats. Care should be taken,
however, that the lands " made in plow-
ing should not be more than three feet
apart.
The oats will grow of, and by shading
the earth, effectually keep down the weeds
and grass in early spring. Not waiting
to harvest the crop, but commencing
about the fifteenth of April with An ordi-
nary scooter plow, open the land or
water furrow, and then with the mar
est halfshovel to be obtained, run once on
each side of the open furrow, filing it up,
making thereof slight ridge, not over q
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
grains to the hill, and lightly covered
with the foot or an ordinary board
1t will germinate in seven or eight days,
and, protected by the standing grain from
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 scooter or
narrow turning plow, and cleaning the
hills of rice when needful by the passage
of the hoe between them.
Two additional plowings and one hoe
ing will usually suffice to make the crop.
BY pursuing the above course, not in
frequently thirty bushels of oats and the
same quanty of rough rice may be gath
cred per acre inside of one year.
When not sowed in oats, break up and
turn in all weeds and grass in the faIl-if
the land is lying fallow, or in February
or March, if planted the previous year
and after carefully narrowing, lay off in
rows two and one-half feet apart. and
SOW as directed above, after the spring
has fairly opened. Afterwards cultivate
with plow and hoe as usual. When the
heads turn down and only few grains
remain green next to the stalk Is the
proper time for harvesting. Never at
tovv,vof ,,aa he I1a and sn-%kn
they knock the rice down and occasion
great loss. The implements employed in
cutting is the ordinary hand-sickle.
The rice should be laid after it is
moved for one or two days-aceording
as the weather may be-on the stubble to
dry. When the straw is cured it Is ready
to be bound in sheaves, and either housed
or securely stacked
The ordinary cleaning precess, in the
absence of machinery, consists Of thrash
ing the sheaves, spread out upon plank
floor or yard covered with impacted clay,
with ordinary fail sticks. When. by this
means, the grain has been separated from
the straw, It is winnowed from q scafF0ld
ten or tifteen fest in height, al the light
fragments of straw and false rice, called
tailing," being borne away by the least
wind.
II Is now ready TO be measured, sacked
and shipped TO market, there 70 Be
pounded and harrslsd up for exportation.
II has heea demoustrated In psaetiee,
time and agais, fhat ordinary ssndy pine
land THAI win not Prcdaee over seven
or eight bnshels per scEs q corn, planted
side By side the same Held with corn and