188 DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS. 



alkali tracts and the prevention of damage to irrigated lands from 

 seepage waters. This work is under the immediate charge of Mr. 

 W. H. Heileman. 



Arrangements are being made for the carrying on of similar work 

 at Fresno, Cal., and it is proposed to extend this work to a tj^pical 

 area in Montana and i^ossibly in Arizona, to demonstrate to the people 

 that these unfavorable conditions can be economically controlled. It 

 is estimated that land values in the immediate vicinity of Salt Lake 

 City will be increased at least $3,000,000, exclusive of the cost of 

 reclamation, if they can be reclaimed from the alkali with which they 

 are now impregnated, and it is believed that equally great benefits 

 will result in other portions of the arid West. 



In furtherance of this work, Mr. Thomas H. Means, of the Bureau 

 of Soils, has accompanied Mr. Thomas H. Kearnej', of the Bureau of 

 Plant Industry, on a trip to Algeria and Egj'pt to study the treatment 

 of alkali lands, the use of alkaline waters in irrigation, the methods 

 used in the reclamation from seepage water and alkali, and the crops 

 adaj)ted to alkali soils. This investigation has not yet been com- 

 pleted, but sufficient has been heard from the party to indicate that 

 conditions even more serious than those existing in the arid regions 

 of this country are under perfect control, and it is believed that the 

 information thus gathered will be of great benefit to the people of 

 Western America. 



