The Rice belt journal. (Welsh, Calcasieu Parish, La.) 1900-19??, 1917-06-01

richer in fats; but the mills sacrifice |
part of these fats, together with much |
Of its flavor, in order to produce a
snowy white article-this is an error.
EXCELLENCE OF SOUTHERN
SOILS AND CLIMATE FOR
RICE PRODUCTION
1t is interesting to note foreign
opinion of rice possibilities in Amer
lea as compared to Japan. We quote
the following from a letter received
from Mr.. R. Onishi, japanese rice ex-
pert, who now has large rice plan
tation near Pierce, Texas. Mr.. Oni-
shi says, in part.
Concerning rice raising in Ameri-
ca as compared to Japan, the very fact
that so manv of uor people come to
the United States to engage in the
business is the strongest evidence
that rice culture can be carried on
with greater comfort and profit in
America than Japan. / believe that
in the very near future, Americans
will be shipping rice to Japan, be-
cause of the improved methods used
in American over those in Japan, Re-
garding land values in Japan, where
a good supply of water and fertile
land-such as in Texas, Louisiana,
and Arkansas-can be secured, one
acre of land in Japan is worth at
least 100000.
The opinion exists in America that
only three of four crops can be pro-
duced without giving the land a rest.
This is wrong, and due to improper
cultivation, not carefully inspecting
the seed, and not caring for or fertil-
lzlng the land. In Japan many rice
fields have been in continuous use for
from one hundred to one thousand
years, the desirable fertilizers being
administered as needed to put it in
proper crop condition. It will thus be
clear that with proper work and care,
rice lands in America can be made to
produce for ages: and produce better
and better--as the fertilizer, as well
as the water supply, is absolutely in
the planters control.
In Texas, Louisiana, and Arkansas
we have dependable water supply
which is not the case in japan. es.
peclally where the water Is derived
from wells. This makes the Ameri.
can rice belt much more desirable
than any of the foreign countries In
Japan, under very adverse conditions
) many farmers raise 10 to 1870 bush.
els OF rice per acre, and are increas.
ing this production by employing the
more modern methoZs."
FUTURE RICE POSSIBILITIES IN
THE SOUTHLAND
In Louisiana and Texas, there are al
least ten million acres adapted to ric,
culture, one-half of which can be If
rlgated by using the waters Of bay
Gus, rivers, and swamps. Lying il
the basin of the Mississippi Rive
and her tributaries are ten millio,
| acres more that can ge watered an,
made suUaDle for rice. In the Gull
, and Atlantic States are about eigh
: million acres, of which three-fourth
can De Watered.
e Thus, we see that there are in tn
v Southland about twenty-one millio,
acres adapted to rice culture, whic
\ could be developed for an average O
: $50 per acre; and can be made to prc
f duce annually 735,000,00O bushel.
n worth from $400,000,O00 to 1000
4 100000, exceeding our present whea
: crop. Much of this land is not no,
i cultivated, lying idle or used only fc
pasturage; but could very easily
e brought under cultivation, with les
!. hazard and cost-per bushel-tha
o wheat. Starvation could PRACTICAL
@ be eliminated by the possible rice pre-
q duction from this area.
COMPARATIVE CEREAL PRO-
DUCTiON
In the United States, during tt
last twelve years, there has been
steady increase in the production
lie rice, resulting in larger harves
is which has been augmented by grea
E. er yield per acre. through the use
j. more scientific methods of produ
er ton. In 1905, the acreage was 49,
es 900, while in 1916 it had increased
Is S66,0O0. The yield per acre in 1871
,e was 1872, in 1916 At bushels, an i
ne crease of &c per cent; while our tot
a. production increased from 1897
is to 40,702,000 bushels bushels. T
a, price received by the farmers renal
5 ed about the same, being around
90 cents per bushel.
ca Comparing this with wheat a
l. corn over the same period, we fl
ly that the corn acreage increased frc
l. 94,011, 900 to 105, $4,000; the vie
w. per acre., as well as total productic
r.. decreased from 28.8 to 24.4 bush'
in and from 707,994,O0O to 2,583,24
900 bushels respectively; while t
nd price received by the farmers incre;
ba ed from 41c to 87c per bushel.
II The wheat acreage increased frt
,es 47,854,0O0 in 1906 to 52,785,O00
adj 1916; while the yield per acre (
,in creased from 14.5 to 12.1 bushels
list causinng a decrease in total prod
70. ton from 692,959,000 to 639,886,(
oe- bushels in 1916; the price advance
ct: from &c to $3.50 per bushel. Il
rly prices quoted do not take into
nod count the present war figures).
ter CONCLUSION
as Considering all the facts herew
presented, we come to these Fl
.ge conclusions:
eat That the worlds production of TO
his stuffs is not keeping up with her
bic mands; that Americas decrease in
der production of wheat and corn,
be shown to be 53,073,000 and 124,7
lss, 900 bushels respectively, must besl
ing anced by the increase in the proc
the ton of other food.Stuffs to keep