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We have only to look at the percentage quantities of soda in these to be convinced as to the accumulation of alkali; but they come from old ditches where accumulation has been going on for some time, and do not fairly represent a river deposit. This could be obtained with accuracy only by allow ing the water to settle in a clean vessel, and collecting the sediment from that.

This is the one question upon which the development of the valley depends. Without water of the proper kind in the valley, and in sufficient quantity for irrigation, very little progress can be made. With a proper water supply the capabilities of the valley can hardly be overestimated. In various places water can be found within eight feet of the surface-in a bed of quicksand-it is said; but the quantity is sufficient only for family purposes, and in many cases is not well adapted even for this use. The quantity of alkali is excessive, often so much as to kill young plants where used for irrigation. It is generally understood that the best water obtained at or about this depth is from the old river bed, which traverses almost every part of the valley, in which the water is better, because the alkali is less. It is supposed that in the old river the water dissolved and carried away the alkali from the soil adjacent to its bed. So far as I could ascertain no decided effort has been made to obtain artesian water in the valley. At Fort Hancock, fifty miles below El Paso, the post bored 225 feet, but obtained no water. I think that this is the greatest depth that has been reached in the valley, and it is not sufficient to make a satisfactory test of the matter. However, some geologists have expressed the opinion that flowing water can not be obtained here.

On the foothills, at various points along the Galveston, Harrisburg & San Antonio Railroad, more or less removed from the valley, water has been obtained at depths varying from 700 to 2000 feet. Not flowing water, but within easy pumping distance. At Fabens, 35 miles from El Paso, water was obtained at a depth of 27 feet. The well furnishes, by pumping, all the water necessary for the railroad storage tanks located at this place. I have no