14 
BULLETIN 59. 
of “salt weed” several years ago. He reports that his sheep 
did well on it. Last year, a cattle man on the South fork of 
the Republican put up some for hay. He reports good 
results. September 22nd., 1900, I photographed a rick of 
salt weed one hundred and twenty feet long. This was put 
up by Mr. Thos. McCallum who lives ten miles south of 
Arriba. He intends to give it a thorough trial this year. 
SOIL STUDY. 
As I traveled I examined the soil by occasionally boring 
and noting the appearance of the soil and sub-soil. 
A traveler could go from Sheridan Lake in Kiowa county 
to Wray in Yuma county (one hundred and ten miles) and 
think he was traveling over the same kind of soil all the way, 
except short stretches on each side of the larger streams. 
The whole distance traversed would be on practically the 
same kind of soil which is known locally as “hard land.” It 
has enough clay in it to make a good road be‘d. This land 
sustains a growth of the short grasses—as buffalo grass and 
grama grass. Along the streams is found a sandy soil 
upon which sage brush is the principal vegetation. 
This “hard land” is the principal type found on all the 
uplands of the region investigated. Between this upland 
soil and the valleys is usually a strip of sandy soil which may 
be from a few feet to several miles in width. The river 
valleys proper frequently have an “adobe” upon which 
“alkali grass” grows. Usually where “alkali grass” does not 
grow the soil is too sandy for profitable cultivation. The 
sandy soil is usually considered best for corn, while the “hard 
land” is thought to be best for wheat. 
- METHODS OP PLANTING AND CULTURE. 
• 
Corn and Sorghum —The lister drill is generally used for 
planting corn and sorghum. After planting, the harrow is 
used by many until the plants are so high that the harrow 
may break them down if used. Weeders are coming into 
use also. We find many who advocate frequent culture to 
preserve a “dirt mulch” on the top. This is supposed to 
require stirring the ground after each rain, and occasionally 
during prolonged droughts. But many object to doing this 
because it requires too much labor. 
Observations made during this year have confirmed my 
belief in the value of a “dust mulch,” but I am also convinced 
that the “dust mulch” may be just as valuable when covered 
by a light crust such as is formed by a light rain as when no 
