[Illustration: OATS] In Europe, Russia is the greatest producer, and its yearly oat harvest is about one-quarter of the world's crop. The states of northwestern Europe yield about half the entire crop; the wheat-growing area of the United States produces the remaining one-fourth. Russia and the United States are both exporters, the grain going to western Europe. By far the greater part of the grain is consumed where it is grown. =Rice.=--Rice is the seed of a cereal grass, _Oryza sativa_. It is claimed to be native to India, but it is known to have been cultivated in China for more than five thousand years. It grows wild in Australia and Malaysia. Rice requires plenty of warmth and moisture. It is cultivated in the warmer parts of the temperate zone, but it thrives best in the tropical regions. In China a considerable upland rice is grown, but for the greater part it is grown in level lowlands that may be flooded with water. The preparation of the fields is a matter of great expense, for they may require flooding and draining at a moment's notice. The crop matures in from three to six months. After threshing, the seed is still covered with a husk, and in this form it is known as "paddy." QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION Why is not wheat-growing a profitable industry in the New England States?--in the plains at the eastern base of the Rocky Mountains?--in the southern part of the United States? What are meant by the following terms: No. 1 spring, a corner, a disk harrow, a cradle, a flail, a separator, futures, warehouse certificates? In 1855 the price of a barrel of flour in New York or Boston was about twelve dollars; at the close of the century it was less than five. Explain how the lessened price came about. From a census or other report make a list of the ten leading wheat-producing States; the ten that produce the most corn. Why are the foreign shipments of oats less than those of wheat? What are the prices current of wheat, corn, oats, and barley to-day? FOR STUDY AND REFERENCE Obtain samples of the different kinds of wheat, oats, barley, corn, millet, and rice. Put the grain in small, closely stoppered vials; attach the heads of the small grains to sheets of cardboard of the proper size. Read "The Wheat Problem"--Chapter I. [Illustration: PICKING COTTON, ALABAMA] [Illustration: TRANSPORTING COTTON FROM WHARF, CHARLESTON, S.C.] [Illustration: COTTON PRESS YARD, NEW ORLEANS, LA.] CHAPTER IX TEXTILE FIBRES