1904 



FORESTRY AND IRRIGATION 



349 



MR. THOMAS H. MEANS, 



ENGINEER OF SOILS, U. S. RECLAMATION SERVICE. 



IN this issue we print an article on " The Use of Alkaline and Saline Waters," by Thomas 

 H. Means, Engineer of Soils, United States Reclamation Service. 



Mr. Means is particularly fitted for this work, through long and careful training in the 

 Bureau of Soils and through a close study of alkali conditions in this country, in Europe, in 

 northern Africa throughout Algeria, the Sahara desert, and in Egypt. What makes his work 

 of particular value is that it has been carried on in connection with irrigation problems, in which 

 Mr. Means is expert, as those who read his articles on the Nile dams in FORESTRY AND IRRI- 

 GATION will readily understand. 



Thomas H. Means was born at Waterford, Virginia, November 15, 1875, of good old Quaker 

 stock. He received his education in the public schools of Washington and graduated a C. E. 

 from Columbian University, besides obtaining degrees for work in chemistry and physics. He 

 served in the Bureau of Soils for ten years before joining the Reclamation Service this spring, 

 becoming head of the United States Soils Surveys, and establishing a reputation as the foremost 

 authority on alkali problems in the country. His work from now on in connection with the 

 reclamation service will be of signal value in determining the steps for reclaiming so much of 

 the saline lands of our West, and his decisions concerning alkali, with the remedies he may 

 propose to remove adverse conditions, will be of immense value. 



