The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1908-10-15
BLACK ALKALI.
Professor Elliot Makes Suggestions
for Overcoming Trouble.


In a letter addressed to farmei
residing near Walla Walla, Professor
Elliott discussed black alkaIi, and it.
interference with the growth of al
falfa; plants which are tolerative OF
alkali; grasses and plants which tenc
to crowd out alfalfa, and means pre-
ventive of this; and a certain pest
which is damaging the leaves Of apple
trees grown by this farmer. Briefed
somewhat, the letter follows:
II Understand from your letter, that
you are having difficulty with the black
alkali, which interferes with the start
ing Of alfalfa. The land in question is
undoubtedly so supplied with water
near the surface that there is consider
able evaporation, which has caused the
alkali to rise to the surface. This
trouble would be observed in all such
land, and the best way to prevent it is
by surface draining This would per-
NIT the washing out of the alkali from
the surface through the drains, and l
think you would have sufficient rainfall
in the winter to accomplish this. The
drains should be from two to three feet
below the surface, which would not
interfere with the cultivation of al
falfa, as the water level would be at
the distance beneath the surface of the
lower level of the drains.
81 suspect that if you are able TO
get start of alfalfa, it would be able
to overcome the effect of the alkali,
which | assume is strongest near the
surface; but with the water level 50
near the surface as it is, the roots
would not have any encouragement to
penetrate deeply, and would probably
stop at the water table. 1t might be
possible to counterfeit the effect of the
alkali by the use of considerable ma
nure, or some chemical fertilizer, but
| very much doubt the value of such
treatment.
"We have seen some excellent
stands of alfalfa secured by seeding
alfalfa in the fall. Fall seeding should
be done early enough to secure the full
benefit of the fall rains, and thereby
make a growth, which would insure
that the alfalfa would pass safely
through the first winter, while the
plants were somewhat tender. l think
that in the warm section of the state,
where you are located, that this would
be perfectly possible; and it would
have the further advantage of starting
during the time when the alkali would
be less abundant, due to its being
washed out by the winter rains.
Regarding plants which might be
of alkali, the station would
inform you that there are several, but
that it is quite difficult to obtain the
seed of such in any quality. There is
a plant known as salt grass Distichlis
which has small seed,
and is very coarse, which is somewhat |
common, but which seeds very spar
ngly; consequently, getting start of
his grass is very difficult. 1t does
rot make first class forage but stock
will eat it. Its chief value is its abil-
ty to grow in alkaline places, thereby
the alkali.
at is said that the Australian salt
,ush will do the same. This plant re-
embles tumble weed, and the station
las been informed that it is becoming
uite a pest in the neighborhood of
Yalla Walla. Therefore the expert
nent station does not advise you to
ry it.
"The salt grass to which you refer
5 entirely different from the Iowa
uack grass. You will find that blue
rass, as well as other grasses, will
crowd out alfalfa; in fact,
this region we find that
fter six or seven years the alfalfa be-
ONES so crowded out by other grasses
hat the ground has to be worked over,
r plowed up. Frequent disSing will
ontrol this to some extent. | doubt
alfalfa will grow in any soil where
ne water table is as near as three
eet to the surface.
''The pest which you mention is I'M
oubtedly the aphis, or apple lice,
hich affect the leaves. They are
licking insects, and absorb so much of
lie sap that the leaves curl up and Ill
mately die. 1t is difficult to control
ire worms when they once get a
art. 1t is possible that treatment
air-slacked lime around the plants,
: even an application of salt, might
ave beneficial effect. Either of
lese applications would need to be
ade with great care. F"
Query-Will you kindly advise US
the use of dust sprayers in
lie fruit raising sections of the Pacific
ope? Has their success been uni
,rm, or otherwise?
Ans.--There is a peculiar condition 5
listing at the present time relative to :
e use uf dust sprays in the several
uit growing sections of the North
est. Quite number of orchardists
e using the dust sprays at the pres
It time, and are successful to the
tent of keeping their fruit almost
itirely free from insect pests, reduc-
G the amount of injury to less than
Ie per cent. Other experiments have
lied entirely. Where successfully
ed, this method of spraying is very
tisfactory, especially in hilly orch
DIS where it is almost impossible to
It around with a gasoline outfit. In
e opinion of w. S. Thornber, horti-
lturist of the state experiment sta