New-York tribune., 1902-10-19
VALUABLE WASTE LANDS.
SOIL ST-RyEY CONVERTING A BIG TRACT
IN Utah INTO FERTILE FIELDS.
IRr TELEGRAPH TO THE rRIBuNE.l ]


Vvasbington Oct IS.-Professor Milton Whitney.
chief of the Bureau of Soils of the Department Of
Agriculture has received information by telegraph
of the successful outcome Of an experiment con-
Quoted in Utah by his field force. demonstrating
that tract of alkaline land aggre6ating sixty thou-
sand acres hitherto considered worthless be
reclaimed and converted into fertile and productive
fields variously estimated worth from $40 to 500
an acre In the course OF the soil survey. which
Is being conducted in various portions of the United
States this tract came under examination. and was
rated as valueless account of its excessive alka
but the bureau devised scheme for washing out
the Injurious alkaline salts An appropriation was
procured from Congress for the purpose of making
a test. and forty acres OF the worst land was Sc
lected for the purpose. This tile drained and
a head Of water from the irrigation system of Utah
Lake was brought to the highest point on the
selected strip. The irrigatng waters have now
been turned partially on. and the aIkaI is being
washed from the soil at the rate Of q tons day.
Analysis shows that the soil is losing none OF .ts
fertility and is rapidly parting with the alkaline
deposit. and. a cost Of $50 acre. forty acres
OF land which could have been bought for a song
a few months ago has improved that offers OF
500 an acre refused for the entire tract. The
success Of the experiment means a clear profit 10
the owners of the tract OF at least $4,000
This achievement Of the soil survey is only one
Of several The discovery of land similar 10 that
Of the island OF Sumatra. and capable of growing
the highest quality of Sumatra wrapper tobacco
In the Connecticut alley. Is well known. Men
who until recently grew tobacco which sold for %
cents a pound are now growing wrapper tobacco
which brings average price OF 50 a pound in the
open market. and II IS estimated that this years
crop OF Connecticut grown Sumatra tobacco will
bring the growers over $l,O001o II is not general
ly known. however. that the soil surveyors have
recently found soil OF the character along the
susquehanna River. in Pennsylvania and that there
is promise Of an equally valuable output in that
section. At the present time the United States
tobacco
100000 year. and II is confidently predicted that
in the uear future Earnest efforts are now being
made TO discover soil suitable 10 the growers of a
now amounting to 100000 year. a large portion
Another is the recent discovery of land in the
neighborhood Of Mount Mitchell. in North Carolina.
piPpins an apple for which there is already
greater demand IN London than this country has
by the soil surveyors had been rated almost
for the occasional clearing OF the mOuntaineer. but
what its value VIII be when the facts become
known predict.
A similar though less important. discovery
made recently In Illinois. where soil lot locally
rated as worthless was found TO be adapted 10 the
raising OF early vegetables, and is now In great
This year forty men are employed in the field
making soil surveys The aggregate cost includ-
be q 81 square mile and up 10 July 22OJO square
miles had been surveyed. Not only is the soil sur
experience gained by the young men employed In
gong @ ane VOTE ba proving an sN[e1n nffeE
from capitalists. one recently resigned TO take
place in Connecticut where he will superintend
the tobacco interests OF n large company at a
salary of $500 year and share in the profits
which will bring his remuneration up to between
S12 900 and $1,000 Another has received Ofter
from Western sugar growers nearly hattertng.
but he preferred 10 remain at his present work
until his knowledge OF the soils OF the country
makes him even more valuable The agricultural
experiment stations eager 20 secure the ser
vices OF possessing this experience and the de-
mand far exceeds the supply. To secure an ap-
pointment on the survey however, must be
college graduates Of more than ordinary attain
ments. and must pass Civil Service examinations OF
exceptional rigor.