ALKALI AND WATER LOGGED LANDS 23 



no experience in the line of work and cannot furnish them estimates with 

 the accuracy of an irrigated project and they therefore much prefer the 

 beaten path. 



The agricultural possibilities of these lands, for trucking and market 

 gardening are too great, however, for them to remain idle much longer. 

 Some courageous corporation will pave the way and then there will be 

 a scramble to get in on what must ultimately prove to be a profitable 

 investment. 



There is no need, however, for capitalists to hesitate on this project. 

 Agricultural experts are at hand to examine and select lands that have 

 the most favorable soil conditions. Drainage engineers can give close 

 estimation of the cost of installing a drainage system with laterals close 

 enough to wash out the alkali in a reasonable time. Irrigation engineers 

 can figure the cost of bringing water to the land and the cost of leveling 

 and diking to hold the water. Anyone can figure the cost of watering 

 the land to wash out the alkali, the water will do the rest. 



After the land has been washed free of harmful amounts of alkali 

 then the soil will need stirring and washing for a year to overcome the 

 effects of the puddling and washing to bring it into condition to grow 

 crops, but any raw land must be worked up and subdued -before it is 

 profitably farmed. 



