Appearance of Vegetation on Alkali Lands 281 



being entirely destitute of plants, or bearing only those 

 which are small, while closely adjacent spots may be 

 covered with large, vigorous, and perfectly normal 

 growths. Fig. 50 illustrates this feature, as it is ex- 

 hibited in the San Joaquiii valley of California, and 

 Fig. 51 shows essentially similar features as they de- 

 velop on black marsh soils in Wisconsin after they have 

 been tile -drained. In this latter case, the crop on the 

 afflicted areas comes to an early standstill, or a plant 



Fig. 50. Vegetation on alkali lands in California. (Hilgard.) 



may go through all the phases of growth, reaching 

 maturity, but with a very dwarf habit, so that maize 

 in tassel and ear may not stand higher than 6 to 10 

 inches, while close by may stand another hill or group 

 of them where the growth has been unusually rank 

 and luxuriant. On these soils the afflicted plants pos- 

 sess a very imperfect root system, the older roots 

 turning brown, soft, and apparently decaying, while 

 new ones form above. 



