— 15 — 
because the quantity of alkali was so excessive, or, as I believe, the 
other soil conditions were such that really no crop was grown. If it 
had been due to excessive alkali the samples numbered one ought 
to approach those numbered three much more nearly than they do, 
for the soil at this point carries much more soda, sulphuric acid and 
magnesia, with almost exactly the same amount of potash. In ad- 
dition to these facts, the soil water in this portion of the field carries, 
at times, quite as much in solution as that from the east section, or 
section three, though the amount is usually less by from 10 to 80 
grains per gallon. The water from the former carries from 150 to 
200 grains per gallon, while that from the latter carries from 200 
to 250. This subject of ground water will be treated of at another 
time. 
The amount of alkali in the section represented by samples 
numbered one, being only slightly, if at all, less than in number 
three, but, the soil being in much better tilth, affords us better data 
on which to base our judgment. 
The section represented by samples numbered one is in good 
condition and quite well drained, though it is on the western edge 
of this alkalized basin. Were it not for its proximity to the lower 
land it would be considered excellent, but an analysis shows it to 
contain more soda and sulphuric acid than the rest of the plot. 
In order to judge of the effect of the alkali upon the sugar con- 
tent in the beets, I think that we should take the Farm samples and 
numbers one and two, taken October 13. The crop had, at this 
date, reached its maturity — even the beets on the Farm plot, though 
remaining unharvested for a long time, showed only a moderate 
gain, not really large enough to positively place it beyond the dif- 
ferences in individual samples, after this date. In this case we ob- 
serve that the Kleinwanzlebener, Vilmorin, Lion Brand, and Imper- 
ial, grown on my plot, and the Kleinwanzlebener and Vilmorin, 
grown on the Farm plots, are quite close, containing, in the order 
given, 12.15, 12.49, 12.84, 13.61, 12.32 and 13.02 per cent., while 
the samples from my plot numbered two, and taken in the same or- 
der, show 14.70, 10.13, 13.61, and 15.20 per cent, sugar. There is no 
room for question as to the character of the soils on which these 
samples grew. That on which the Farm samples grew, particularly 
in the case of the Kleinwanzlebener, is as free from alkali as any of 
our soil and was in good condition. The same is true in regard to 
the mechanical condition, though to a less extent, perhaps, of that on 
which my sample numbered one was grown, while that on which 
my sample number two grew was strongly alkalized, but the beets 
were richer in sugar than those grown on land practically free from 
alkali. This is true, also, of the samples taken on other dates, and of 
all the varieties, with few exceptions. 
