Show black alkali ikall im investigations have been made of the almost complete loss of fertility of from 40 to 50 acres in the san luls luis valley of colorado and this con dialon Is attributed to the so failed black alkali composed largely of sodium carbonate this carbonate Is carried in the waters raters of the valley in eluding tl ti e rivers and the artesian wells ells and the practice of has brought it to the surface by capillarity and evaporation it Is sug that the remedy lies in a con version of the carbonates into sni sill chates by the use of a liberal amount of gypsum about nine pounds of gyp sum to one pound of black alkali and downward washing by means of surface irrigation with narrows or by flooding |