4 
tive of the presence of alkali in varying amounts. The Salt-sages 
include the Hop-sage or Shad-scale and several other species. Where 
they grow in company with Creosote-hush there is less alkali than 
where they grow by themselves, but in almost all cases where they 
grow alone there appears to be from .4 to over l.% of alkali salts. 
In such soils great care will have to be exercised not to allow an 
accumulation of salts at the surface. 
THE SALTWORT LANDS. 
The worst lands in the whole region, as regards presence of alkali, 
are indicated by the growth of three kinds of "alkali weeds,” each 
kind apparently indicating different degree or kind of salt impregnation. 
Salt-wort ( Sumda) is by far the most abundant of these three, and 
is the principal alkali indicator of the whole region. The amount of 
alkali required by this plant is considerable, ranging somewhere 
between .4 and over 1 . %, but its exact limits have not yet been deter¬ 
mined. It appears to require much more salt than the salt-sages do, 
and though they often grow in company with each other, it may be 
considered that where salt-wort or "alkali weed” grows alone, in 
abundance and luxuriance, there is more alkali than where the salt- 
sages or "Sage-brush” grows alone. 
Rabbit-brush (Bigelovia veneta) is not generally distributed—in 
fact it is a rare plant in the region, and appears to grow only where 
the salts are excessive^ strong. 
Kern Greasewood (Allenrolfea occidentalis) is equally scarce in the 
vicinity of Imperial. It usually appears to be indicative of excessively 
strong salts and also of the presence of black alkali. 
The soils on which the three last-named plants occur contain so 
much alkali that only alkali-resistant crops should be attempted there. 
Mr. Rockwood reports that excellent alfalfa is raised on Saltwort 
lands at Yuma, but it must be borne in mind that the soils at Yuma 
are generally much more easily leached of their salts than are most of 
the Saltwort lands in the Imperial country. As there is so much 
land that is practically free from alkali, and that is well adapted to 
the cultivation of alfalfa, it would be the wisest policy to turn attention 
to it first, leaving the Saltwort lands to be handled later. 
CROPS FOR THE COLORADO DELTA IN THE SALTON BASIN. 
In experimenting in a new country and with new conditions, it 
is wise to try first mainly those things which are most likely to be 
successful, at the same time neglecting no opportunity to try other 
things on a smaller scale. On account of the nature of the soil and 
climate and the situation of the valley, it is probable that the 
Colorado Delta will have its greatest development in the line of stock- 
