Although pre-germination of the both dry and wet rice varieties was not popular, it was particularly advantageous for wet rice varieties as it ensured that seeds would sprout rather than waiting for them to cultivate under water that may be too deep or too muddy. Before germinated seeds would be soaked to tell what ones were empty and should be discarded. Seeds would be soaked in a two gallon bucket, one gallon of water and salt (120 ounces of salt for ordinar, 100 for glutinous). Salt and water mixture would be stirred with a bamboo brush until salt is dissolved and after dissolved 4-5 pints of rice would be added. Empty kernels would float to the top and skimmed off the top with bamboo. After no more floaters were found the rice would be drained and put into another bucket to wash away the salt
After rice was washed, the seeds would be soaked for 5 nights then drained and put into a et grass basket where then they would be kept warm and damp. After 3 nights they would begin to shoot. Although the seeds may be able to germinate in the paddies themselves, pre-germination also had other advantages outside of muggy or deep waters. Pre-germination helped accelerate the growth process of the rice and helped the rice compete better with weeds that may grow in the paddy. (Bray, 1984, 248)
(Bray 1984, 248)