Albuquerque evening citizen., 1905-07-21
GREAT GROWTH OF THE
AMERICAN RICE INDUSTRY
From Commerce and Labor Statistics

The rice industry OF the United discussed by
e. Seymour Bell British commercial agent at Chicago in
report to the British foreign office copy of which has
Just been received by the department commerce and
labor through its bureu of statistics The report of
especial Importance in view of the fact that the United
States in 1904 became rice exporting instead of rice
importing nation increasing her exports so per cent and
decreasing her imports 20 per cent compared with
the transactions of the preceding year In the calendar
year 1904 the mportations of rice into the
amounted to S7 million pounds, against 17S millions
In 1903 decrease of Al millions; while the exports of
rice dncudng the shipments Hawaii and Rico)
were 1873 millions, against 92 millions 1903
the purchases of foregngown by the United States
exceeded its sales of that staple abroad by sc million
pounds whreas in 1904 the sales slightly exceeded
the importations of rice.
In view of these developments the following abridg
ment of Mr. Bells report will be of interest:
Rice cultivation in the United States has become an
important industry During the fiscal year 1899 the pro-
ducon was 25O2SO221 pounds. the land under cut
walton was 3422lS acres This is calculated that
the yield Will be about 47OOOOOOO pounds the plant
ed with rice being 643400 Notwithstanding this
large increase it is still insufficient to meet the home de-
mand.
Before 1860 the rice production in the United States
was practically limited to the aluval lands of
nas, Georgia, Florida and Louisiana When labor cond
tions altered after the civil production in
the eastern states decreased considerably When machn-
cry was adapted to rice production and it discovered
that the prairie lands of southwestern Louisiana and
southern Texas, with their mpervious subsos would dry
before the rice harvest sufficiently support machinery
there a revolution in the rice industry
Fifteen years ago there scarcely barrel of com
mercal rice produced in what is known prairie
rice section of Texas which 400 miles along
gulf coast and contains of the most fertile lands
this continent. These lands then valued at 20
cents to Sl5O acre. Today improved lands worth
on average $3.50 per Within territory there
are about 80 rice mills with daily capacity 10000
barrels Of rice.
By 1898 the canal and the deepwen system of irrga
ton had been satisfactorily tested and the industry
rapidly extending along safe lines At 4hs date it was
found that too large percentage of the machnehanded
rice liable to breakage in milling The attention of
the United States department Of agriculture called to
this fact and measures Immediately taken to remedy
the defect and TO overcome the difficulty by the intro
ducon varieties The departments work result
ed in the introduction of variety from Japan known as
Kiushu, which has given very satisfactory results
The Kushu variety is known for its short thick ker-
nels and thin hull 1t takes but little polish and the
percentage of bran Is small.
In report issued by the bureau June % 1902
and covering so establishments it is shown that since
1880 the number of rice mills in the United States in.
creased 264 cent capital 1868 per cent and value OF
products l7S per cent This report that the increase
in Louisiana and Texas very marked their produc.
ton having advanced from 7575SS56 pounds IN 1890
799l92O3 pounds in 1900. The statistics indicated that
the industry is being transferred from the South Atlantic
states to Texas and louisiana later reliable statistics
have pointed out continued change In this respect
The effect of successful irrigation on the prairie lands
rise in value of such lands In 1883 these lands
could be obtained at from 81 to $3.50 per acre. according
to their facility for cultivation. Some these same lands
held average price Of $780, and few choice
locations bring much $50 per acre.
Before the civil war the planter realized 4 to per
cent his investment in the rice business yalung his
slaves employed at from $500 to $500 per head and rec
oning them as part Of his investment The planter now
realizes from to 10 per cent on the investment