UTILIZATION AND RECLAMATION OF ALKALI LANDS. 465 



tilling qualities of the soil, already referred to, is superadded 

 to the corrosive action of that salt upon the plant. 



Effect of Differences in Composition of Alkali Salts on Beets. The 

 marked differences which may occur as the result of even slight variations 

 in the proportions of the several salts is well illustrated in the subjoined 

 diagram of observations made by Dr. G. W. Shaw, of the Cal. Expt. 

 station, upon beet fields in the neighborhood of Oxnard, Cal. The 



FIG. 73. Alkali curve showing percentage of Alkali Salts in field of Sugar Beets, Oxnard, Calif. 



FIG. 74. Beets from corresponding positions in the above field. 



lands lie not far from the sea-shore, and saline water underruns them 

 for considerable distance inland. The soil and subsoil are quite sandy, 

 so that it takes irrigation water only about seven hours to penetrate 

 30 



