The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1899-08-07
Why Irrigation Is In Some Cases
Unsuccessful In Utah.
BRINGS SALT TO SURFACE
CASES OF EXCESSIVE ALKALI IN
THE SOIL.
Result of Investigations Made By
Director of Experimental Stations
of Agricultural Department
Hope to Be Able to Show Just
How Much Water Is Required.

Washington, Aug. 6.-Dr. E. w. AL
len. assistant director of experimental
stations in the agricultural depart
ment, has just returned from pro-
longed tour in the west. made for the
purpose of inspecting the various sta
tions in that section of the country
He states that one of the most in
tereSting lines of investigation which
is being pursued in these stations is
that with regard to cheeS e-making.
The station in Wisconsin is taking the
lead in this especial work and discov-
cries have been made there which rev.
olutionize the European theory that the
ripening of cheese is due to bacteria
The American experiments demonstrate
beyond doubt that the principal chanSe
in the albuminoids which takes place
in the ripening process is dependent
upon a ferment which is contained in
the milk itself and not to the bacteria.
1t is believed that this discovery VIII
have an important bearing upon
cheese manufacture in the future.
Alakali In the Soil.
In the stations throughout the semi
arid region, much attention is being
given to the investigation of excessive
alkali in the soil. In many sections,
notably in California and Utah, there
are large regions of irrigated land
which are practically non-productlve
on account of the presence OF alkail-
Investigation makes it plain that TINS
is due to irrigation and in many IN
stances to excessive irrigation The
water applied to the soil brings the
salts to the surface when it rises In
some instances il has been found that
the lower portion of streams has been
rendered very alkaline by the return OF
these salts in the water from the lrr1-
gated fields.
The work of the experiment stations
in connection with this problem is 10
find a remedy for the evil, and this
they are seeking TO do by demonstrat-
ing that in most instances crops do not
REQUIRE nearly SO much water as is ap-
piled TO them. They are working alonS
practical lines in the solution OF the
problem and in some cases the more
progressive farmers are cooperating
with them. Eventually they hope 10
be able to show just what quantity or
water is required for a given crop IN
a given locality, and count, when aple
to do this. not only upon saving from
destruction much land already under
ditch, but also upon extending the II
rigable area by demonstrating that
more land can be supplied with water
from the available supply than now is
Secure Forage PlantS.
In Montana. Idaho and other semi
arid states, there is much work look
ing TO securing forage plants adapted
TO the altitude and climate. In those
states most satisfactory results have
been secured with the COW pea. which
is generally planted with oats Red
clover is also found to hourlsn IN lii@-
section even better than in the eastern
states. In other regions much atten-
ton is given to the rotations OF crops
Dr Allen reports a growing friend
shin towards the experiment stations
on the part of the farmers. When the
stations were first established they
were regarded as an innovation, but
in many instances the farmers nave
come now to depend upon them ana
most of them regard the stations with
favor.