Enough has been written to show that much more can be done with 

 alkaline irrigation water than has hitherto been generally thought possi- 

 ble, and while the intensive culture of the Algerian gardeners is not 

 suited to our Western conditions, there is believed to be no reason why 

 their methods can not be adapted, even with an improvement in point 

 of economy, to more extensive cropping of the soil. 



The soils in the Pecos Valley are not unlike those of the oases, and 

 the general conditions in the two places are somewhat similar, although 

 the irrigation water, even at the lowest stage of the Pecos River, is not 

 as alkaline as the artesian water of the desert, nor are the soils natur- 

 ally as alkaline. Employing the Algerian method of frequent irriga- 

 tion with generous amounts of water on land well drained by open 

 ditches or tile drains, large areas now out of cultivation might be used 

 to grow alfalfa, truck, and other crops. 



It is believed that the information conveyed in this circular will be 

 of great value to the people of this country residing in regions affected 

 with alkali, and that it will result ultimately in bringing into cultiva- 

 tion much land that has hitherto been thought worthless because of the 

 character of the water available for irrigation. 



THOMAS H. MEANS, 

 In Charge of Alkali Reclamation Work. 



Approved : 



JAMES WILSON, 



Secretary of Agriculture. 



. WASHINGTON, D. C., July 1, 1903. 



O 



