CROPS ON ALKALI LAND, HUNTLEY PROJECT, MONTANA. 19 



In ordinary seasons irrigation will probably not be necessary. If 

 practiced at all, it should be done so early that the ground will not be 

 too wet for plowing at the time the crop is ready to plow under. To 

 obtain the maximum amount of growth, plowing should be deferred 

 until the rye is well headed, but the land should be plowed before the 

 grain has begun to fill. Fairly deep plowing — from 7 to 10 inches — 

 is necessary in order to cover the green-manure crop thoroughly. In 

 plowing the crop under, a chain or rod attached to the plowbeam 

 ahead of the plow will turn all of the rye into the furrow, so that it 

 will be well covered. After plowing, it is advisable to disk and har- 

 row the ground thoroughly. Cultivation during the summer after 

 every rain of any consequence is necessary in order to prevent crusting 

 and to keep the soil in good tilth. 



Requirements for permanent reclamation. — Before any permanent 

 benefit can be expected from any method of soil treatment it will be 

 necessary that adequate drainage be provided in all cases where the 

 water table has risen to within 3 or 4 feet of the surface. Where 

 drainage systems have been installed, irrigation by means of the bor- 

 dered plat system to promote leaching, together with frequent culti- 

 vation, should also prove effective in washing out the alkali salts. 



The time required for reclaiming these lands will depend upon the 

 amount of salts in the soil and the condition of the soil. It seems 

 likely, from the results so far obtained, that treatments covering from 

 one to three years will be necessary before satisfactory crop returns 

 can be expected. 



ADDITIONAL COPIES 



OF THIS PUBLICATION MAY BE PROCURED FROM 



THE SUPERINTENDENT OF DOCUMENTS 



GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 



WASHINGTON, D. C. 



AT 



5 CENTS PER COPY 



V 



WASHINGTON : GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE : 1914 



