  Bulk textured MgB_2 material of nearly full density showing a weak c-axis
alignment of the hexagonal MgB_2 grains parallel to the pressure direction was
obtained by hot deformation of a stoichiometric MgB_2 pellet prepared by a
gas-solid reaction. The texture of the material was verified by comparing the
x-ray diffraction patterns of the hot deformed material with isotropic MgB_2
powder. A small, but distinct anisotropy of the upper critical field up to
Hc2^{a,b}/Hc2^{c}~1.2 depending on degree of texture was found by resistance
and susceptibility measurements. No anisotropy of the critical current density
determined from magnetization measurements was found for the textured material.
