222 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



to be readily eaten by stock, and further investigations are desired rela- 

 tive to its adaptation and possible use. 



Summing up the results as far as possible, the distribution of plants 

 in belts or zones is believed to be due to physical and chemical coi di- 

 tions of the soil, and these plants may be used-as indicators of soil con- 

 ditions. The Biglovia and scrub saltbush indicate, from the data at 

 hand, a light gravelly soil with apparently a low alkali content chiefly 

 composed of sulphates. The minimum of sulphates is least and the 

 maximum highest in the scrub saltbush belt, but black alkali and 

 chlorids are least in the Biglovia belt. Samphire indicates a moist soil 

 with excessive chlorids and sulphates. Grease wood, so far as deter- 

 mined, occurs only in a moist soil where sulphates and common salt 

 are heavy and earbonates light. Saltwort depends on heavy chlorids 

 and heavier chlorates with carbonates varying between 360 and 24,000 

 lbs. per acre. The full extent of the value of these and other plants 

 as alkali indicators can not yet be determined. 



The author suggests quite a number of plants that may be cultivated 

 on alkali soils. Among these are the saltbushes, samphire, sugar beet, 

 spinach, mangel-wurzel, (Jhenopodia quinoa, Australian saltbushes, etc. 

 Sunflowers are reported growing wild on a soil which contains 9,820 

 lbs. sulphates, 1,400 lbs. carbonates, 920 lbs. chlorids, and 1,440 lbs. 

 nitrates in the first foot of soil. Other plants belonging to this same 

 family which grow Mild on moderately alkali lands are the Jerusalem 

 artichoke, oyster plant, chicory, true artichoke (Cynara scolymus). 

 Valuable fodder plants which are known to grow on decidedly alkaline 

 soils are mentioned, among the more promising of which are Modiola 

 decumbens, quack grass, tussock grass (Sporobolus airoides), and water 

 grass (Beclcmania erucaformis). In conclusion the author gives a pre- 

 liminary list of plants suitable for cultivation on alkali soils, dividing 

 them into those which are adapted to strong alkali and those which 

 are not tolerant of the strongest alkali. The list is as follows: 



On strong alkali. — Saltbushes, modiola, wild millet or water grass, 

 Kolreuteria paniculata, sac-saoul (Haloxylon animodendron), Salsola 

 soda, aud 8. indica, and kochia (Kochia spp.). 



Apparently not tolerant of the strongest alkali. — Sunflower, Jerusalem 

 artichoke, beets, spinach, onion, celery, asparagus, Ekeagnus angusti- 

 folius, and the Peruvian ground cherry (Physalis peruviana). 



Fodder plants. — Slender grass (Leptochloajmbricata), Johnson grass, 

 quack grass, tall smooth panic grass (Panicum virgatum), smooth buuch 

 grass (Atropis Ian-is and A. calif ornica), obtuse meadow grass (Era- 

 grostis obtusiflora), wild rye (Elymus condensatus), alkali saccatone 

 {Panicum bulbosum), florin, Bermuda grass, jointed barley grass, tea 

 tree, and myall (Acacia spp.). 



Investigations on various economic plants, J. B. Davy (Cali- 

 fornia Sta. Rpt. 1895-1897, pp. 205-270).— This is the report of the 

 assistant botanist. Among other economic notes the author suggests 

 as bee plants for late winter and early spring in California the follow- 



