The Caucasian. (Shreveport, La.) 1900-192?, 1903-04-23

| the crop. But this trusting to the I'M
certainties of the weather did not pay,
| and about 1893 it was found necessary
to resort to irrigation, which really
marks the beginning Of Che rice in
dustry in this state in IFS 8resent form
and vast proportions.
In the old days rice was grown in
the Texas marshes, as u still is in
Georgia and the Carolnas, the seed be-
ing planted in ponds ana n grasses and
the water being drawn off several
times during the growing season. But
now the method Of growing rice is en-
tlrely different, and contrary to tie
idea that most people have .he land
suitable for cultivation is not marsh
but comparatively high and we'll
drained. The most important factor
is its irrigation, which is done by
means of canals and pumps
In the first place. companies are or
gained to build the canals and put in
the pumping machinery, and this ne
cessitates an outlay of $4,000 to $780,
900, according to the amount Of land
to be irrigated. Rice canals are con-
structed by building two parallel levees
over the prairie, 100 feet apart and
varying from time to time eight feet in
height
The levees Of the main canal begin
on the banks of some ineXhaustible
stream. at which point an immense
plant is located.
and narrowing. the planting is done in
April and May, and the rice Is allowed
to become six or eight inches high be-
fore the irrigation begins. Then the
pumps are started. and q regular
stream is sent boiling and foamng
through the streets, filling them bank |
full. The 1oodgates to the lateral ca
nails are then opened, and the whole
ntersected country is submerged to q
depth of at least three inches and is
kept so flooded for period of about
seventy days.
At the end of this time che water is
1raWn off and harvesting is begun as
soon as the fields dry sufficiently to
permit the harvester to enter which is
rom ten to fifteen days. The rice self
Under is Identical with other grain har-
testers. save that it is stronger and
heavier and has broad wheels to pre-
'ent cutting into the soft earth. Bic
machinery is necessarily very strong.
IS the rice straw is larger ana f!c
'ield Of grain greater than wheat o.
ther grains.
After standing about twenty days
fter shocking che thrashing takes
lace. and there is very little siffer-
nee between the thrashing Of rice and
heat. and the charges per bushel are =
ractically the same. The pce is sacked
t the machine, the average weight per
ack being 100 pounds, and 1t is not
nsacked until smptied into qie bin at
ne mill
In case the 4,rmer owns his own
Ind he simply rents 9he Yates supply
ON the irrigating company, payin"
lerefor at the 4ate % two sacks Of {
ce per acre. If. however, the 4irmcr
oes not own his lana nor wishes to
ny he can rent both land ana water
the rate Of four sacks per acre, or in =
>llars and cents Sle farmer can req: Il
le water supply for about alO IN
re. If he also rents the land. he pay:
bout 81 additional, making a total Of
Z per acre. The average price Of rice
So per barrel. and with the average
cid of twelve barrels per acr" you =,
I've $50 per acre. with a net profit Of
9 Dar acre 4
When one considers the great acre
e of Texas land suitable for rice clll-
re awaiting development, coupled
tn the fact that the United States
nsumes vastly more rice tIIun j.
lSes, something over 81. 600 900 pounds
Ing imported last year from Chnt
d Japan. 1t is not hazardous to PRE-.
It great future for the Texas rirss
iustry. Its possibilities are measured
~ by the growing demand for this
tritious and palatabIe cereal
HARVEY L. MOORE. &C