Fixation ot Nitrogen in Colorado Soils 
tlie deeper portions of the soil or into the underground waters 
by irrigation or by rain-water. The lateral distribution is often 
very sharply defined, a variation from 7,077.0 to 10.0 n.p m. of 
nitric nitrogen was found within 16 feet; again from 6,444.5 to 
2.0 ]).p.m. within 20 feet. These sharp limits can generallv be 
recognized bv the color and other physical properties of the soil. 
In this connection, the ground- and drain-waters were in- 
vestigated. When these underlie or come from beneath nitre- 
areas, they may contain nitrates, otherwise this is not the case. 
In no instance have we found the least justification for believ- 
ing or assuming that the nitre-spots have been produced by 
these agencies. 
It is claimed that Colorado soils verv generally possess both, 
high fixing and nitrifving efficiencies, so hiah that the quality 
of crops may be affected even to an iniurions extent. Bulletin 
183 presents a study of this feature of the problem as it affects 
sugar beets. 
In prosecuting a ^^Studv of Colorado Wheats’’ we again 
came in contact with this question which proves as important in 
connection with the wheat as with the beet crop. 
Of course, there has never been any question of the im- 
portance of nitrates in the growing of crops and this is in no 
manner at issue in this studv. The question is whollv one of 
the quantity of nitrates present and the source of the nitrogen 
that they contain. 
OBJECT OF THIS BULLETIN 
The object of this bulletin is to present the facts as exist- 
ing in a new district, that of Wellington, about 14 miles north 
and east of Fort Collins. This district lies in the valley of Box 
Elder creek, a small tributary of the Poudre river. 
Our attention was directed to this occurrence by the fact 
that well-waters brought to the station laboratory from this 
section were sometimes found to be relatively rich in nitrates. 
In one instance a ranchman brought in a sample of water and 
a portion of a residue that he had obtained by evaporating 
some of the water to dryness. This water was very rich in total 
solids and especially in nitrates. He had lost 17 head of cattle 
by allowing them to drink this water. While the water was 
heavily charged with ordinary ^^alkali” salts, it was not richer 
in these than other waters that are used without injury to 
stock. The unusual feature in the water was the presence of 
nitrates. The water was evidently unfit for any farm use. 
Inquiry elicited the fact that other wells in that section had 
