Record of Geology of Texas, 1887-1896. 
121 
Harrington^ H. H. 
is:trea.ms that would remove the ^alkali’ from the field — ^a condition of things 
not likely to soon take place in Western Texas. /In case irrigation is 
applied, particular attention must he given to the character of water used. 
Obviously a stream carrying in solution a large quantity of saline matter 
could not he used with advantage, except under modified conditions, since 
the evaporaitipn of the irrigation water would itself add largely to the 
already alkaline condition of the soil. When neither irrigation nor the 
'use of gypsum is sufficient to reclaim an alkali soil, it is probable that 
chemical antidotes may be found that will prove efficient.. 'For example, in 
certain cases lime might be used, although this or the use of any other 
ohemical substance would depend upon the eharaeter of the alkali, a matter 
requiring special investigation and trial in each particular case.” 
-:s- vt * if * * * 
178. 
A Preliminary Report on the Soils and Waters ef the Upper Rio 
Grande and Pecos Valleys in Texas. (iVppendix by B. T. Dum'ble.) 
Geol. Snrv. oh Texas, Bulletin Ho. 2, 26 pp. Austin, 1890. 
Letter of Transmittal by E. T. Dumble, State Geologist. Introduction 
by E. T. Dumble. Letter by the Author oontainiing aeknowledgments, etc. 
"soils and waters of the upper RIO GRANDE VALLEY IN TEXAS. 
Contents : 'Soils ; Adobe Soil, Chemical Analysis, Mechanical Analysis ; 
Sandy Loam, Chemical Analyses, Mechanical Analysis; Chemical Analyses 
of Soils from Foothills around iSierra Dlanca and iBordering the Fio Grande 
Valley. Alkali iSpots: /Soil Incrustation, Black Alkali, White Alkali, 
'Reclaiming A.lkali Spots. Sediments, River 'Sediments. Water .Supply: 
Analysis of Mesa Well Water, Analysis of Rio Grande Water, Quantity of 
River Water, Wiater Reservoirs or Storage Tanks, Nature of Alkali in the 
Valley. Conclusions. 
SOILS AND WATERS OF THE PECOS VALLEY. 
‘T present, in addition to the above report, analytical work by Mr. P. 
;S. Tilson upon 'the Pecos Valley .soils, and Analyses of Pecos river water.” 
P. 19. 
APPENDIX E. T. DUMBLE. (SEE DUMBLE, E. T., IN THIS RECORD.) 
Extract from ‘'Soils and Waters of the Upper Rio Grande Valley,” etc., 
pp. 7-8: 
“The investigation into the character of the soils of 'the upper Rffi 
Grande Valley as planned consisted of a personal examination of that part 
of El Paso county adjacent to the Rio Grande from 'El Paso to a line below 
the site of Fort Quitman, for the purpose of ascertaining the character of 
soils and of the water supply, with especial regard to their capacity and 
suitability for irrigation. 
“The scope of country investigated is some eighty miles in length and 
from two to six m.iles in width, varying with the breadth of the valley, 
upon the Texas side uf the Rio 'Grande, and having an average width of 
