The Fixation of Nitrogen in Colorado Soils 33 
p. p. m. nitric nitrogen and 19,832 p. p. m. chlorin. There was no 
sample taken below the surface in this case, bu't the next set of 
general samples serves to indicate the condition in such intense 
cases, for they approach the preceding conditions in spite of the 
irrigations and rains that we happened to find in progress, or which 
had recently taken place. We found in these general samples 487 
p. p. m. nitric nitrogen in the surface three inches with more than 
12,000 p. p. m. chlorin; in the next four inches only 20 p. p. m. 
nitric nitrogen and 1,443 P* P- m - chlorin. There is an abundance 
of chlorin in the underlying soil to permit of an explanation for the 
large amounts of it found on the surface by a process of concentra¬ 
tion ; not so with the nitrates. In what way and to what extent the 
presence of calcic and magnesic nitrates or their chlorids formed at 
or near the surface, would affect the movement of the other salts 
in the soil is not clear and would probably depend upon moisture 
conditions. In this case we have the rainfalls, the irrigations and 
even the backing up of the river water in the field, perhaps we 
should say damming back of the ground-waters, as disturbing 
factors. 
The second place chosen has not been in a desirable condi¬ 
tion for more than six years. Some persons think that drainage 
would reclaim this land. I think that drainage might benefit it, 
but I doubt most seriously whether this land can now be profitably 
reclaimed. I have already given my reasons with the full knowl¬ 
edge that some, perhaps many, will call my conclusions into ques¬ 
tion. My conclusions are based upon somewhat extended observa¬ 
tions and, while I wish that I could truthfully state an opposite 
opinion, I am convinced that drainage is in the first place so diffi¬ 
cult as to be infeasible, and, in the second place, I am convinced 
that the results obtained would be very disappointing. This place 
is strongly alkalized and in part seeped. We have in this land, both 
on the surface and in deeper sections, comparatively small amounts 
of nitric nitrogen and large amounts of chlorin. The ratio of nitric 
nitrogen to chlorin varies from 1 1598 to 113,216. In six 
years’ observation of this place, we have never been able to locate 
but one nitre-spot and that was in 1912. In this case we have a 
very strongly alkalized area and no nitre. A part of this area is badly 
seeped in other parts this is not the case; on the contrary, water 
may not be met with until one attains a depth of nine feet or more. 
The alkalization and seepage of this land is not something of recent 
date, but is of long standing, more than six years, at least, and a 
part of this tract was entirely barren at the beginning of this period. 
If the nitre and the alkali had a common origin, as a somewhat cur¬ 
rent, popular view would assert, we should, at all times within the 
