396 IRRIGATION PRACTICE 



almost worthless for general or fruit farming. In spite, 

 however, of these well-established limits, it is known that 

 even with 3 per cent of alkali in the upper 6 feet, crops 

 may occasionally be grown successfully. Much depends, 

 as already said, upon the crop, the nature of the alkali, 

 the nature of the soil, methods of irrigation, and tillage. 



FIG. 117. Alkali spots on irrigated pasture. 



The crop itself determines, fundamentally, the tolerance 

 for alkali. Certain fruits and small crops endure large 

 quantities of alkali, while others are very sensitive to it. 

 When properly cultivated, kafir corn, sorghum, sugar 

 beets, and barley are excellent alkali-resistant crops. 

 The date palm, in its resistance to alkali, stands at the 

 very head of cultivated crops. However, the area over 

 which this plant may be grown at present is relatively 

 small. 



