A simple laboratory technique of evaluating desert soils for suitability to irrigation is outlined. Such laboratory observations are for the purpose of augmenting a field examination of physiographic and pedological limitations of the land. The method is based upon the premise that soil moisture retained against a tension of 100‐cm water tension, less the moisture retained against 15,000‐cm tension, gives an index of total available water in the soil. The importance of the relative distribution of available moisture within the tension range of 100 and 15,000 cm is indica