136 



AGRICULTURE ON THE PACIFIC SLOPE 



crop, with which the alkali cannot then interfere until the 

 roots get strong and far down, and are not so easily hurt. 

 But when we have thus washed the alkali down in the land, 



FIG. 73. Salt grass, which is found in strongly alkaline land. 



we must keep the surface well cultivated to prevent its being 

 brought up again by wick action and evaporation. That 

 is, we must keep a soil mulch on the surface, and irrigate in 

 deep furrows. See Chapter IV. 



