66 The Sugar-Beet in America 
SOIL ALKALI 
In many of the sugar-beet areas of America, a condi- 
tion known as alkali in the soil is met. This condition is 
found in practically all arid regions and results from the 
presence of large quantities of soluble material in the soil, 
which is rendered valueless by these salts if they are 
present in quantities that inhibit crop growth. Many 
soils containing considerable alkali will raise good crops 
until stronger concentrations are brought near the sur- 
face by evaporation of large quantities of water. In fact, 
some farmers contend that sugar-beets do better if a small 
amount of alkali is present. It is well known that after 
beets get a good start they are able to endure more alkali 
than many other common field crops. Experiments,! 
however, have shown that young beet seedlings are rather 
tender, and if much alkali is present near the surface 
when the seed is planted, germination will be poor. 
In considering a tract of land for sugar-beet production, 
a careful survey of alkali conditions should be made, since 
new land is not likely to show the salt so much as is old, 
particularly when careless methods of irrigation are used. 
In the management of soils containing rather large quan- 
tities of soluble salts, even though toxic limits have not 
been reached, the farmer should know how to prevent 
accumulation at the surface. He should also make pro- 
vision to reclaim the land when such a step becomes 
necessary. 
1 Harris, F. 8S. ‘Effect of Alkali Salts in Soils on the Ger- 
mination and Growth of Crops.’ Jour. Agr. Research. Vol. V. 
pp. 1-52 (Oct. 4, 1915). 
