ALKALI LANDS 221 



reached the surface. The salts consisted usually of nearly 

 equal parts chlorides and sulphates ; no alkali carbonates are 

 mentioned. Soils too saline to grow cereals were capable of 

 producing a good natural pasture. 



Berthault and Crochetelle (ibid. 1895, xxi. 122) have also 

 reported more briefly on the soils reclaimed from the sea 

 in the Bas-Me'doc, and confirmed the previous conclusion 

 as to the amount of alkali salt which cereal crops will 

 endure. 



We have already mentioned that germinating seeds are 

 most sensitive to the effects of alkali, the delicate root and 

 stem first produced not being protected by any tough external 

 covering ; the seeds of leguminous plants appear to be espe- 

 cially sensitive. Propagation by cuttings is impossible in 

 an alkaline soil. Plants drawing their nourishment from the 

 surface soil are generally more affected than those having 

 deep roots. Lucerne may often be successfully grown on 

 alkali land. Pear trees are also noted for their resistant 

 power. The sunflower tribe, and many of the cruciferae are 

 well suited for soils of this character. 



Some successful trials of sugar beet have been made in 

 California. Hilgard and Loughridge in their Report on these 

 experiments (California Station Report, 1894-5, 71) conclude 

 that beets of good quality and purity may be grown on lands 

 containing 12,000 Ib. per acre of alkali salts in 3 ft. of soil, 

 provided that the sodium chloride does not exceed 1,500 Ib. 

 per acre. They consider sodium chloride as more injurious to 

 beet than sodium carbonate. 



The Australian saltbush, Atriplex semibaccatum, is an 

 excellent perennial fodder crop, much relished by sheep ; it 

 appears capable of growing with vigour on almost the worst 



