INDIA 13 



Europe. Of all the continents, Europe is the most 

 free from alkali, although it has several alkali sections. 

 Probably the most conspicuous of these is found in Hun- 

 gary. The "Szik " lands of the plains contain some soluble 

 salts and lower down in the valley of the Theiss genuine 

 alkali lands are found with a high content of both white 

 and black alkali. From these lands carbonate of soda 

 has long been obtained commercially. In the lower 

 valley of the Po in Italy (2) and in many other sections 

 of Europe bordering the Mediterranean local alkali areas 

 are found. 



Asia. - - The main alkali regions of Asia are found in 

 the central and southwestern portions of the continent. 

 Arabia, Mesopotamia, Persia, Afghanistan, Baluchistan, 

 Turkestan, and Northern India are all more or less affected 

 with alkali salts. In some of these countries agriculture 

 has continued in spite of the excess of soluble salts because 

 special methods have been devised as a result of experience 

 extending back to prehistoric times. 



Modern investigations of alkali have been more complete 

 in India than in other parts of Asia; consequently, more 

 attention will be given to that country in the present 

 discussion. 



India. - - The alkali, or reh, lands of India were first 

 investigated by the "Reh Commission ' about 1876. 

 This commission was appointed to discover the cause of 

 deterioration of some of the lands that had previously been 

 fertile. Since that time the various experiment stations 

 in India have made more extensive investigations. They 

 have shown that "usar" lands (12) exist largely not only 

 in the northwestern provinces and Oudh, but also in the 

 Punjab, especially on lands bordering the Chenab River, 

 likewise to a slight extent in the Bombay Presidency. 



