The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1902-03-10
THE INDIVIDUAL PLANTER.
Advantages and Disadvantages Of Canals
and Wells Compared.


great deal has been said on the sub.
jcct Of rice and rice culture in Texas
But | wish to speak principally on rice
cultivation from the standpoint Of an in
dividual. IT must he conducted on certain
principles TO be profitable.
After your ground is thoroughly pulver-
lied and ready for sowing see that the
soil is neither too wet nor too cod. In
either case rice will not sprout, or at best
Will be such a poor stand that you viii
be at Il great expense, loss of time and la
Dor by having to replant About April or
May is the proper time.
In securing seed be sure you do not get
mixture OF red rice. In that case your
rice will not be marketable except at a
very low price, and your land viii nave be-
come foul with a supertuty of that great
pest, red rice.
When irrigation is begun see that the
ground is well covered, but do not make
the mistake Of holding water too deep. Tae
stalk VIII grow tou rank, therefore VIII
be the more easily blown down.
Irrigation from canals Is more practical
from the standpoint of man putting IN
! whole time for the cultivation Of his crop
without having to attend to the many de-
tails connected with the watering of rice,
and he is more sure of having an album
dance ot water.
On the other hand. it is more practi-
cal for the small producer to irrigate from
his OWN wells, provided he allows plenty
Of margin for the water IL viii require
4 TO irrigatc the desired amount Of land.
| But | should advise nothing less than a
| ten or twelNc-inCh well
! He may then raise any other crop desired
! In connection with rice. A small producer,
| irrigatlng from a canal, paying two-tifths
/ land and water rent, pays out most Of the
| profits to the canal company.
| One of the mistakes of the pioneer rice
| farmer is draining the water Off too soon.
| This should be avoided. II causes the grain
| to be light and Chafy Being so soft II
! does not make good milling rico and brings
| less when placed on the market than II
| 1t were permitted to mature before drain
ing
! should advise thrcshiug from the shock
| in preference Ia stacking, when weather
| permits, although stacking when properly
! done. and If allowed the proper time 10 &c
| through tho necessary sweat. makes .
hard, finty and better milling berry
In order to secure the best prices rice
| should be put on the market as early a'
possible. either for milling or in the rough
/ advocate selling from warehouse. OF
| hotter still from the tcld when possible
| because ii saves storage. insurance, freight
and many other expenses OF holding, anf
because the farmer gets immediate returns
Too much can not be said on raislnI
quality instead OF quantity There Is al
ways n demand for good rice, while th'
expense of raising red rice or an interio
quality of rice is just as great as producing
the best.
Nv experience includes rice farming TO
thH last twelve years in both Louisiana an'
Texns | find this section Of Texas espe
Ciallv adapted to rice culture, both as t.
soil and climate.
One advantage in well irrigation is tina
II Is not necessary TO- 60 deep tor wafer anr,
shallow depth. j. j. Blake.
Cortes, Texas,