The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-05-07
GROWING IN TEXAS
Farm In the United States Is In
Chambers County.
|fNslvE SYSTEM OF IRRIGATION.
kcxeIopmeut of the Rice Crop
krcxns md Louisiana--won-
derfuI Progress.

lis Republic.
recent organization In St. Louis OF
nifty Riceland and Irrigation COM
fith capitalization of s2600Oo has
Iattention to the fact that new
he in agriculture is now being de-
in Texas--the culture Of rice. The
company is Differed by G.. Il.
Of st. Louis, as president, w. C.
of Houston, Texas, as vice prcsi-
w. Schwettmann of Lincoln,
secretary and Charles l., Heitze-
h 81. Louis as treasurer. 1t is
| that over half the stock was
hy subscribed by Missouri people.
Louis money was not invested In
ricelands until careful inyestiga-
Id been made. A committee was
|om here to view the situation and
1kfactory was its report that $4,000
h land in the northeastern part of
hrs county, Texas, was purchased.
president w. C. Moore Of Houston,
4 the first to call the attention OF
capitalists to the opportunities Of
81 the Texas riceiands. was in ST.
] few days ago. He gave some de-
! the innovation:
development Of this crop" said
bore, in certain sections OF Texas
buisiana is marvellous, and an in
ttion is only necessary to create
3asm as to the profits of this crop,
Feat trouble Is, the American peo-
Mays associate Cinnamon and rice
5g OF the same family, and not car
3cultiyate the former, they manifest
Interest in the latter. The investiga-
however, reveals startling compari-
jr while one Is associated with the
cheapness, the other opens up ave-
br riches. Southwest Louisiana and
|ast Texas Is recognized as the best
| OF America for the culture of this
SThis territory extends inland from
bst a distance OF about fifty miles
IS east and west for probably 200
! the growing and successful mt
3of rice it requires popularity OF
BID climate. The land is prepared
ime as for wheat or other small
] and the seed then sown broadcast
drills. about one and one-fourth
) being used TO the acre. When the
homes up it resembles nothing so
as a wheat field, the blades when
Ippearing being identical in shape
Nor with wheat. Level land, or that
bly, so as possible, is selected for a
Rrm. Before the crop Is planted
are thrown UP around the fields
purpose of holding water on them.
work is usually done with large
blows, made for the purpose. When
be is from six to twelve inches in
1t is flooded with water. In the
history of the industry the natural
d was depended upon for this pur-
5and rice was only planted on the
lands, using the higher lands for
beds. from which the water was
u into the rice fields. hut as rice
! depends upon q supply of water,
WAS always a degree of uncertainty
endered the possibility of a failure
,tial failure not improbable. Espe-
Twas this so in view OF the large
that we're being made and the
Iuent temptation on the part of the
ts to encroach upon higher lands
|er to raise more rice.
te is flooded from two to twelve
and kept flooded during all of the
Ig season. until the heads have be-
fllled and the crop begins to ripen,
fhe levees are cut and the water all
Ito run off. thus giving the ground
p dry and harden before harvesting
The harvest season does not differ
the harvesting OF wheat or oats in
|prthern States. After cutting. the
. allowed 10 stand In the shock from
three weeks before stacking, as,
TO the excessive amount of moisture
/ straw, 1t takes longer to dry out
&Fher grain. The crop is harvested
Ssame expense and in the same man
tn selt-hinding harvesters as other
{grain. The yield is about three
Fhat OF wheat, 1t is threshed by the
thresher and Is put in large sacks,
B about four bushels, when It Is
for market, Under favorable condi-
~ produces from twelve to eighteen
per acre, the average price for the
fn years being IS per barrel.
Pbably the greatest element in the
prmation of the industry from a
and Insignificant beginning to what
IT