20 
Bulletin 58. 
the alkali soils that I have seen in this State, which I firmly believe 
that it does. 
§ 29. The numbers of the sections 1, 2 and 3 in the tables 
have the same signification as in Bulletin 46. Section 3 is described 
as in very bad condition and low, very wet and alkalized to such 
an extent that the surface becomes coated to the thickness of from 
one quarter to upwards of half an inch with alkali. Its condition 
is, in fact, so unfavorable that I have at all times questioned whether 
it is not rather to this, than to the alkali per se, that the difficulty 
-of growing any thing in this section ought to be attributed. The 
alkali may be responsible in part for this condition, but there is no 
question in my mind but that the water is the direct cause of this 
to a greater extent than the alkali. The very great improvement 
-caused bv addition of the manure and straw to this soil is corrobora- 
•j 
tive of this view. I see nothing in the addition of straw to modify 
in the least the effects of the alkali nor to diminish its quantity, 
but it does change the texture of the soil, permitting aeration and 
.disintegration to a beneficient extent. 
§ 30. The third crop grown on this section still leaves it some- 
'wba't doubtful whether we should charge any of the evil to the 
direct influence of the alkali. A few of the young plants were un¬ 
doubtedly killed by it, but after they had become established it 
seemed to do them no injury. I believe it to be of far less injury 
than it is usually thought to be. Both the sugar content and 
coefficient of purity of samples taken from this section during the 
Three seasons are slightly lower than in samples taken from the 
.■other two sections. There are exceptions to this statement, but 
They are not of sufficient importance, in number or degree, to cast 
any doubt on the fact that beets grown in this section are inferior 
To Those grown on the other sections. They have, however, im¬ 
proved in quality during the three years. The average of all 
varieties grown in 1897 was 10.66 per cent, sugar in beet, with a 
coefficient of 73.3; in 1898, including both manured and not 
^manured, the average was 12.68 per cent, sugar, 76.2 purity; and 
un 1899 the average was 14.13 per cent, sugar, 77.1 purity. This 
Ms a marked improvement in the quality of the beet. The figures 
represent the total improvement, including that due to the soil, to 
culture, and the differences in the season. The two latter are more 
Important than we are at first inclined to think. A good year is a 
(familiar expression, but its equivalent in tons of beets, or pounds of 
sugar, is a very indefinite notion, especially to those who use it 
most frequently. Though three years of observation is too brief a 
time to form an estimate of the seasonal influences on this crop. I 
am inclined to credit a large share of the improvement in the 
quality of the crops to this cause, and also something to the 
