UTILIZATION AND RECLAMATION OF ALKALI LANDS. 481 



A remarkably alkali-resistant shrub or small tree is the 

 pretty Kcclrcuteria paniculata from China, which at Tulare is 

 growing in some of the strongest alkali soil of the tract. Un- 

 fortunately it is available mainly for ornamental purposes; its 

 wood, while small, is very hard and makes excellent fuel. 



Of trees indigenous to the Atlantic and East Central United 

 States, the Tulip tree, the Linden, and most other trees of the 

 humid region, including the English oak ( Qucrcus pcdun- 

 culata) become stunted in alkali soils. The honey locust, being 

 particularly adapted to calcareous lands, does moderately well 

 on alkali lands, but its thorns and imperfect shade render it 

 not very desirable. The black locust and the dins have on the 

 whole done best. The eastern maples are not successful; but 

 the California maple (Acer macrophylluin} and the box elder 

 (Ncgundo californica) have done fairly well in the lighter 

 alkali lands of the San Joaquin Valley. 



The Conifers Pines, firs, cedars, cypress, etc., are very 

 sensitive to black alkali and will not endure much even of the 

 4 " white " salts. Even the native juniper of the mesas carefully 

 adheres to the portions breaks and upper slopes, hilltops, etc. 

 which are more or less leached by the scanty rains of these 

 regions. 



INDUCEMENTS TOWARD THE RECLAMATION OF ALKALI LANDS. 



The expense involved in the reclamation of strong alkali 

 lands naturally gives rise to the question whether adequate 

 advantages are likely to be derived from such expenditure; 

 specially when the last resort underdraining and leaching 

 has to be adopted. 



Those familiar with the alkali regions are aware how often 

 the occurrence of alkali spots interrupts the continuity of fields 

 and orchards, of which they form only a small part, but enough 

 to mar their aspect and cultivation. Their increase and ex- 

 pansion under irrigation frequently renders their reclamation 

 the only alternative of absolute abandonment of the invest- 

 ments and improvements made, and from that point of view 

 alone it is of no slight practical importance. Moreover, the 

 occurrence of vast continuous stretches of alkali lands within 

 the otherwise most eligibly situated valley lands of the irriga- 

 tion region forms a strong incentive towards their utilization. 



