468 THE MONTHLY BULLETIX. 



heavily; but it is also true that some of these also may ultimately be 

 affected. 



That a feasible plan of drainage for the too-moist lands about Fresno 

 is bound to come can not be questioned. The citizens here have fre- 

 (^uently asked the assistance of the office with which I am in my small 

 way connected, and the response made has been fully commensurate 

 with the means of those in charge. Possibly the office can be of no 

 further help. The experiments outlined in this paper, however, addi- 

 tional experiments in progress at the instance of the local power and 

 irrigation interests, and the successful resort to drainage on the George 

 C. Roeding and the Sunnyside tracts, seem to furnish all needed dem- 

 onstration of the feasibility of removing the injury that has been done. 

 Possibly difficulties not now foreseen will arise in carrying out larger 

 undertakings than those now under way, but those who are profes- 

 sionally thoroughly familiar with drainage and alkali reclauuition 

 throughout the west, as well as here, declare the drainage of the sections 

 about Fresno needing it, not only feasible and practicable, but fully 

 warranted by the results that have been obtained elsewhere. 



The formation of one or more drainage districts about Fresno has 

 frequently been suggested. In fact, our drainage district act was 

 drafted with conditions here especially in view. It is believed that the 

 time has never been more opportune for action and accomplishment 

 than now. 



Chairman Cook. This has certainly been a most admirable paper, 

 and will be read with interest by all in California, because in every part, 

 more or less, there is this alkali land. Drainage in the land will be a 

 great advantage, and certainly will be very valuable and not onl.y could 

 this work be carried on in Fresno, but in every part of southern Cali- 

 fornia at great advantage, because there is considerable alkali down 

 there, as well as up here. Land there became absolutely worthless, but 

 they began drainage and washing out the alkali, costing about twelve 

 dollars per acre, but now they raise wonderful crops of alfalfa. Ladies 

 and gentlemen, we ought to have a stirring, lively discussion on this sub- 

 ject, and I hope you will all take part in it. Who will be first! 



A Member. We here in Fresno are thoroughly interested in this 

 question. Tw^enty-eight years ago this drainage was first suggested 

 in this valley. I should like to hear just a few words from Miss Hatch, 

 who can tell us what this alkali has done for us here. 



Miss Hatch. I cannot tell all the efforts I made to interest the 

 residents of central California and arouse them to this danger, but to 

 no avail. They said the expense would be greater than the valley was 

 worth. But I was a resident and was one of the few Avho waked up to 

 the idea that drainage was the only thing that would save us from 

 destruction. I talked and talked with various residents here, but they 

 wouldn't listen, and I have had this experience of seeing it go to 

 destruction because none were ready to fight against it. That land 

 to-day is largely given over to growing Bermuda grass and salt grass, 



