The Parma herald. (Parma, Idaho) 1903-1917, 1912-07-18

ON WET LAND
Department of Agricul-
ture will Try to Rid
West of Alkali.

The Department Of Agricultural thru
the Division OF Drainage Investigations
Is contemplating series of co operative
experiments in Idaho on the drainage
and reclamation OF wet and aikalied
lands.
The purpose Of these experiments are
to demonstrate that these lands sre
valuable II the proper methods arc
employed to reclaim them. That their
reclamation can be accomplished within
a reasonable expense, that is, an exc
pence that will be justified by the added
returns from the land after reclamation
To determine the amonnt Of alkali which
can be removed from the soil by proper
means, aud the length of time necessary
| to remove sufficient alkali to bring the
soil to point of high agricultural value.
To study the movements of ground
water toward the drains and secure data
TO be used in estimating the required
capacity Of drains in this irrigated
lregion. To compare the amount oi
drainage water secured with the amount
Of irrigation water applied And above
all to encourage owners of alkalied land
to make efforts to reclaim them so that
Ievery acre Of land for which irrigation
water is available, may be brought TO
the highest possible state of productivity.
| To accomplish these purposes the
following plan has been outlined. Having
studied the conditions quite thoroughly
lin those sections in which there is a
considerable area OF alkaaied and wet
lands, it has been decided 10 conduct
leo operative experiment IN the vicinity
of each of the following towns; Caldwell,
Emmett, Parma. and New Plymouth.
I'm each of these localities an agreement
will be drawn up with the owner OF
tract OF from twenty to forty acres,
whereby the owner will agree to do all
the work necessary and will follow the
directions OF the representative OF the
Drainage Investigations, and the Dep
partment will agree to furnish all the
material such as drain tile etc. necessary
for the installation OF drainage system.
AS rule this will divide the cost OF the
system equally between the owner and
the Department.
The land must have the following re-
quirements, however. 1t must have
either an excess of alkai or water to
such an extent that no crops will grow
on the land in its present condition.
Sufficient fall must be available 80 that
the tract can be drained individually
without having to go too great distance
to secure an outlet for the drains. 1t
should be located near a railroad or
main travelled highway where the
largest possible number OF people will
b. able to see it as they pass by The
owner must be willing to cultivate
and work the land properly after the
drainage system Is installed in order to
insure the best results. The worse the
condition Of the land the more favorable
will it be for this purpose, provided the
available fall is sufficient
Any land owner whose land will fill
the above requirements and who is
willing to enter into such an agreement
with the Department OF Agriculture can
secure further Information concerning
the experiments by writing or calling
on W. G. Sloan, in charge Of Drainage
Investigations in Idaho, at 800 Yates
Building, Boise.
1t might further be stated that the
Department has carried on a dozen such
experiments in Utah and other western
states and without exception they have
been so successful that the crops secured
from the land the second season after
reclamation have paid for the entire
cost of drainage.