Deming graphic. (Deming, N.M.) 1903-1948, 1914-05-01
Alkali and It's Treatment

"Alkali" is an accumulation of
soluble salts, formed from the wealth
ering Of the rocks, and retained in
the soil because Of insufficient rain
fall to leach them ont into the
streams and thence to the sea. The
heavier precipitation in the noun
tains and highlands causes n partial
teaching of these salts and a result
ing concentration in low places in
sufficient quantity to injure plants or
wholly prevent their growth.
The term "whitc alkali' is II mis-
nomcr. since the salts composing
this "alkali" are all neutral, Sodium
chloride common salD, sodium sui
phatc (glaubcrs salp, and magnesium
are associated with some carbonate
Of lime and gypsum that are not only
harmless, but may be beneficial.
The term "black alkali" is given to
carbonate and bicarbonate of soda
(sal soda and baking soda). The are
truc alkalies, and because Of this
property. will corrodc the stems OF
plants. For this reason, they are
very much more injurious than the
neutral salts constituting white
alkali. They are called "black alkali'
because they dissolve humus and
form black deposit when brought to
the surface during dry seasons.
Black nlkali cannot exist IN the
presence Of gypsum, which is its
chemical nntidotc. Since gypsum is
present in Rio Grand water, no soil
irrigated with this water will be
troubled with black alkali. The moist,
GREASY" spots in this Valley some
times called black alknli, are more
likely due to some of the neutral de-
liouescent salt called calcium chic
ride, mixed with the white alkali salts
named above.
No chemical antidoie is known for
white alkali. as is the ease for the
black alkali. II must, therefore. h.
removed by mechanical means. When
the watcrtable is so near the surface
that capillarity is established Il. g.
l'"subbed land"). the only remedy is
drainage. In practically all the soils
Of the Rio Grande Valley that are
troubled with alknli, il is due to the
"subbing" of the soil from rise III
the watertable. Experience has
shown that where "subbed" lands
have been drained they are render
cd highly productive.
Alkali can sometimes he lcachrd
from the surface to the underfl"w
waters, or beyond the point nj which
they are likely to rise by eapillarliN
to the surface.
ATTEMPTS 10 wash the surface nr-
cumulations To n lower locality are
not very successful, because of their
extreme solubility and the readiness
!, with which they soak into the soil.
| Attempts To remove alkali by "ah'
sorbine" il with certain growing
crops have proven very msn"'"sN-
full.
Frequent cultivation and irrigation,
| or any treatment that will prevent
surface accumulation. Is desirable,
because the damage is likely To re-
suit near the surface; hence the
alkali should be kept down.
Fruit trees. as n rule. are quite
sensitive 10 alkali. Pears and iigs
are the most resistant. Cottonw"odN,
J mulbcrries and willows are resistant
ornamental trees.
Kafir corn, milo maize and all The
sorghums are quite resistant io
alkali; rs are also barley and, APP
parently, some varieties OF wheat
Bermuda grass will stand large
amounts Of alkali; as will old alfalfa
unless the alkalk is from "subbcd
land, in which case the alfalfa nigh
die from excess Of water around IT.
roots.