The southern sentinel. (Winnfield, La.) 1883-1910, 1884-10-24
Rice Culture In the Seuth.


A pound of the best rice in the New
York market costs eight cents. 1t has
q pearly, transparent CLINT. beautiful
polish and lustre; yet very few who use
this very attractive article of food are
aware of the labor and expense re-
quired to place it before them in this
perfect state. As an ticle of food it
is second alone to wheat, and is the
grand natural cereal upon which at
least four hundred millions, or nearly
one-third of mankind. mainly subsist.
Almost incalculable areas of it are
raised in India and China, the various
varieties seeming endless. On the is
land OF Ceylon alone no less than 161
varieties are known, but the finest is
raised in our own States of North and
South Carolina and Georgia. where
those vast expenses OF low-lying
swamp land ana heavy vegetable soils
render its cultivation comparatively
easy and profitable.
The great fields lying low along the
river banks are divided into sections,
and trunks and canals carry the water to
each one separately by smaller bitches.
by which they are flooded whenever
desired. The rice is frequently sown
on the water-covered soil, where i.
quickly terminates, covering the fields
with a beautiful Y del cate green grassy
carpet, which turns lighter and yell
lower tinge as it ripens.
As most of the fields have been re.
clai ed from the rivers near which
they lie. they are continually sub ect to
sudden overflows, the utmost vigilance
being required to guard against this
enemy, which often in one night ruins
the fruits of months of labor. Sol.e of
the larger plantations cover two and
three hundred acres. and employ
several hundred men, women and chill
dren.
From 1920 to 1740 the export of rice
from the Carolinas was 1926 tons.
Tor l740 alone 5000 barrels were
shipped. At the outbreak of the war
one million acres were under cultlva-
ton in South Carolina alone. In 1860
the production was 1S5 l62, 032 pounds,
but the war almost ruined this immense
industry, and in 1870 the combined
production of the two Carolinas, Loui-
siana. and Georgia was reduced to 81
LOJ,OOO pounds. A steady improve
ment, however, toward the old-time
prosperity is now seen by comparing
the productions of later years with
| that Of 1855, when it had dwindled to
the comparatively Insignificant amount
of 1900, 0sO pounds.
Very few besides Chinese and me-
groes can be kept on the plantations as
workers, and owing to the intensely
trying nature of the clin ate in Sum-
mer. with its accompanying marsh
fevers, the question of labor supply is
very Sc cious one TO the planters; but
while the old-fashioned methods of
cutting, sowing, and transporting still
prevail on most plantations. numerous
labor-saving na-hines and improve
ments have been introduced with
markell success in the various milling
processes.
Many large mills are to be seen on
the low shores of the Mississippi, in the
vicinity of New Orleans, but those at
Charleston and Savan ali are perhaps
the largest and most complete in their
appointments. Many are lofty build
ings of brick or iron. their many stories
crowded with the latest improved ma
hinevy for hulling. busting. cleaning.
furnishing, and packing the grain
ready for shipment. Situated at the
water edge, their tall chimneys pour
ing forth heavy columns of smoke. their
derricks lifting the rough grain from
the decks of the river craft, while the
elevators, with long armed spouts, dip
deep into and fill the great holds of sea-
going steamers with milled grain. the
clouds of drifting hat dust. the whir
of machinery. and hurrying of boats
and tugs. all present most charming
picture, and Enthusiastically Indicate the
rapid revival of one If the most valua-
lie Of our Southern industries.-Har.
psr's Weekly.