A Soil Study: 
Part IV. The Ground Water. 
By WILLIAM P. HEADDEN, A. M., Ph. D. 
§ 1. I have presented the results of our experiments and 
observations upon the effects of alkaline conditions of the soil upon 
crops, upon the sugar beet in particular, in Bulletins 46 and 58, 
forming Parts I and II of this study. In Part III, Station Bulletin 
65, I have presented the subject of the soil, and the effects of culti¬ 
vation upon it, from both the chemical and physical standpoint. 
The conclusions reached in these bulletins have been summarized 
in the respective publications and will not be reproduced in this 
place, as reference can easily be made to the statements of them in 
the originals, which are fuller than could be made here. 
SOME OBSERVATIONS ON ALKALIZATION. 
§ 2. The statement made on page 3 of Bulletin 46, relative to 
the general question of alkalization in Colorado is, I believe, correct. 
I would state the question even more explicitly, especially for the 
eastern slope of the Rocky Mountains, for I am convinced that the 
only question of alkali that we have resolves itself into one of drainage , 
and beyond this, there is no alkali question for us. I believe this to be 
true of the western as well as of the eastern portion of the State. 
§ 3. I am aware of the fact that some sections of the State 
have an abundant supply of alkali salts, but their presence and 
whatever injurious effects they may have produced, is due princi¬ 
pally, if not wholly, to the lack of drainage, which, in many in¬ 
stances, has been made more apparent and its effects greatly aug¬ 
mented by over-irrigation. An immoderate use of water, especially 
when no regard is had for drainage, the peculiarities of the soil or 
the requirements of the plants, can prove as disastrous to the agri¬ 
culture of a section as other naturally adverse conditions. This 
cause of trouble will be lessened in all parts of the State as the de- 
