The Delta independent., 1901-04-26

A document Of more than ordinary
note and value is the forthcoming re-
port OF the Department of Agriculture
on poisoning plants of Montana,
prepared under thefdirection Of Mr.. V.
X. Chestnut and DIR. +. V. Wilcox,
who spent the entire summer OF 1900
Rfaking field examinations and exper-
1ments to determine just what plants
on the Montana ranges We're injurious
10 sheep and cattle. and what were
not. As result OF their inyestiga-
tions, they are satisfied that they
have, In great measure solved the
Blant-poisonlng problem, and discov-
cred cheap and effective antidote
which will. II properly and, judiciously
administered, save thousands of sheep
and cattle each year. Inasmuch as
many of the plants found In Montana
are common to other western states
where sheep are herded in consider
able numbers, and where cattle are
ranged, this report will be OF ines
timable vaiue to all herders and will
prove n valuable guide to all who have
experienced difficulty on account of
plant poisoning among their sheep or
cattle.
There are no figures showing the an
nunl loss of sheep and stock from
plant poisoning, but out Of 9.I25 cases
OF sheep poisoning coming under the
observation Of these two specialists
during the summer 1881 proved IA
tai. OF 1i1 cattle that were poisoned,
ninety died and six horses out Of l5I
died from the effects OF plant poison
ing. OF course. some plants are more
destructive than others. the greatest
destruction being worked by the lu-
pine. In the winter OF 1S9S-Hg II Is
stated that 400 sheep were poisoned
from eating lupIne hay and 81 died.
IN the following summer 40 cattle
were poisoned from eating false lupine
and 100 died.
In order 80 Observe the effect OF the
various poisons contained in the dif-
ferent plants. alcoholic solutions of
the poisons were used In experiments
tHpon rabbits. Through careful
study OF the effects OF these poisonS
On the rabbits, II was possible TO tind
mn ehectusl antldote. and ascertain
5usf what doses should be admins
tered and In what way.
The question naturally arises. can
not the poisonous plants be replaced
by some form OF aggressive forage
plant! II has been found by expert
ncnt that the smooth bronze grass aud
he western wheat grass are the only
bnes 30 fnr found which can be used
with good effect. and they only where
here is an abundance OF water. TO in-
pure rapid development. Judicious
bersiing. Of course. is beneficial and II
ler,ierx become thoroughly familiar
rith the different varieties OF poison
|us plants. they will bc able TO avoid
angeroua spots morc or less. still
urthef precaution might be taken
here poisonous plants grow In we'll
rfined arcas by eradicn'ing the plan,
itirely. hut In most Instances the
lngeroua growth In 40 scattered that
iu almost Impossible to Dig II up.
II has been found that many prac-
rcs re~orted to by hcriers In cases
pOls0uing are not only unnvniling.
ut detrinental. These i.o scientists
frUngly condemn the cuAnmou prnc-
ce among hertierr TO keep poisoned
heep on the move under any and all
circumstances. II II asserted that. on
be contrary. the suffering animals
)ouid remain n quiet ms possible. as
owing about weakenn them and often
Psults fatally. where Otherwise rccov-
~ would have been possible. .rtf
The practice Of bleeding In likewise
Dndemned. ms In the administration
melted lard or fat pork. and doses
rosia or vinegar ARE ms severely
|riticiscd. or course. each instance Is
aken up and fsily discussed In the re-
Port. II is clearly shown that stock
men have no general. simple and relin-
Bile antitiote for assch poisoning.
After m elaborate series OF expert
nents, II n recommended that the reg
llar use 0f a solution Of permangnnatc tc
bf pofash will prove nm effective anti
iotc In most eases OF plant poisoning.
Bcsides being cfiicactots~. Its ntiminis-
prntion ID 40 simple. md Its mode of
Naturalization 30 cnsIly z Understood.
Ihnt Il II recommended In almost all
case~ Of poisoning of stock by plants.
Aluminium sulphate. used In conjunc-
tion with the pcrnanganntc OF potash.
adds to the effectiveness Of the remedy.
Sheepmen have a great advantage
over cattle men In the use Of this an
tidote. because sheep. being constant
ly hertied. are soon detected when
poisoned. II tnkes considerable time
for the poison TO bc extracted from
the various partp OF the plant eaten
and 10 lie absorbed from the stomach.
NO that II the nntidote In administered
immediately. as would naturally bc
the cnse. there II mn excellent chance
to destroy most OF the poison before
Il In absorbed. Full directions are
given for preparing and administering
this dose. Drcnching is the favored
method Of administering the antidote,
but II this cannot bc resortcd to. other
suggestions are given.
or nll plants examined. the death
camas Ia one of the most deadly. and
one Of the most abundant. Being n
very early plant, II makes Its appear
nnce sooner than do most grnsses. and
Dis naturally so,ieht by sheep and cat-
tie. In itp early stages II strongly re-
semblcs young blades OF grass. Herd
era should become familiar with this
plant In all stages OF Its growth. and.
M fur M possible. herd the sheep
. AWAY from such areas. Death cnmas
! In a sn,ooth. simple stcmmed pcrcn-
ninl. with ON onion.likc bulb. narrow.
linear leaves. and II short cluster Of
yellowisl.g flowers.