The Delta independent., 1901-04-26
SAVING STOCK FROM EFFECTS
OF POISONOUS PLANTS

easily erasible white coating. The low
er leaves are geranium-like, four to
six inches in diamter. and the flow
ers pale blue in color. arranged in
long slender clusters. This plant usu-
ally, occurs in sharply defined areas.
and may be eradicated by digging. 1t
occurs particularly in mountainous re-
gions. -s1 "a. ~
Throughout the entire West the
puple larkspur is known by its rich
purple larkspur Is known by its rich
smaller than the tall larkspur. AS
most cases of poisoning occur before
the plant blossoms, IL Is necessary
that stockmen make themselves IA
miliar with its appearance - in the
earlier stages. IN order to herd sheep
away from it mt that period. lit has
proven more dangerous among sheep
than other animals. The plnnt Is most
dangerous in the early stages Of its
growth.
Along the banks Of streams and irri-
eating bitches throughout the West is
found the deadly water hemlock, grow
ing from two to five feet high. "A very
large percentage of animals poisoned
by the water hemlOck die. because its
action Is rapid. Death often results in
side fifteen minutes after the plant is
eaten.
The white loco weed. commonly
known as rattleweed, is one Of the hard
problems that confronted the scientist
las; summer. This is an erect, tufted
perennial, four to eighteen inches high,
without branches, and flowers resemb-
ling the pea. No specific remedy for
loco poisoning has ever been discover
ed. Loco poisoning seems to be more
annoying than dangerous, and its ef
fecfs are likened to drunkenness In
men. II effecting the brain. The eat
ing OF this weed often becomes n habit
with some people. When sheep are
once addicted TO the habit. they are
generally fatiened and killed for NUT
ton. Animals onc. broken Of the habit
Of eating the loco weed. II again turned
loose. will again take up the habit as
Of old. and usually persist until death
| results. This particular plant will he
made the subject Of further study.
Lupines. otherwise known as blue
pea. Wild bean, or pea vine. is n silky
haired herb. with blue-like flowers.
turning TO beans. This plant belongs
| TO the pea family. This class of pois-
ono,is plant has been but little studied,
so far. and Will he Investigated further
during the coming summer Lupines
have been found TO be dangerous only
when they have gone to seed. They
are cut for hay. and II the lupines have
| gone to seed or have nearly reached
tnai stage. very dangerous poison Is
therein contained. Up to that period IL
\ Is not thought TO be dangerous. -
a long list OF poisonous plants of less
| Importance follows. Ergot. which oc-
ours as fungus on variety Of
Il 10 M ,t,s.l 10
thought TO cause ''mountain Itch but
Its effects have not been sufficiently
! studied to determine its exact effect or
n remedy ti.N
| Cow cookie. common alike In waste
places and In cultivated soil. Is spread
Ing rapidly throughout the entire
| Northwest. No cascS Of stock poison
4 Ing from this source were reported.
and no antidote has yet been found.
| We: meadows and moist localities are
found TO be effected with swamp camas.
resembling death camns. but distin-
guishcd from II by Its taller stature.
larger flowers aud wider leaves. In
effect II is very similar TO the death
canas. ID
Another plan; common to damp re-
gions In the snowy milk weed. which
grows from two to five feet high. with
|
flowers In effect the snowy milk
weed Is very dangerous. and Is gen
orally avoided. being well known to
| most xtockmcn.
! A very widespread poisonous plant.
fatal to horses and cattle. Is the Cali
| fornia swamp hclicbore. n stout herb.
from two to seven feet high. large
plaiiel leaves aud large cluster of
crccnlsh yellow flowers. This plant
grows on the mountain sides. aud b.
| too coarse to tempt sheep, although I,
works havoc among horses nnd cattle.
There are many wild plants generally
suspected of bcing poisonous which. as
matter OF fact. mr. safe. edible and
oftcntimes very nutritious. In this
class are wild onion. wild llcorice. wild
hyacinth. COW persnip. sagcbrush. wild
sunfiowcr and wild gcrnnium.
In each and every case the report
fully describes the different plants. sets
forth In minute detail the symptoms of
poisoning and the manner OF treatment.
where known. 4 complete set Of photo
graphic Illustrations serves MS an addl-
tional guide In locating md Identifying
the different plants. All in NIL. the re-
por. Ia very complete and thorough and
with proper use should prove Of I'm
mense value to every stGckman who
experiences difficulty with his sheep or
cnttle due 10 plant poisoning. The re-
port will be ready for distribution IN
u few weeks and may he secured
through members OF Congress or the
Department OF Agriculture.
Secretary Dr. George Il. Tyler Of the
Colorado state hoard Of health rcccut-
liz wrote the state board of stock In
spection commissioners OF Illinois for
Information concerning the success OF
tuberculin in the destruction OF no
vine tuberculosis. A Colorado ve,er-
marian had reported to him that the
Illinois board had found II unsatisfac-
tory. c. i. Johnson. secretary of the
Illinois board. replied: This board
Inns had a great deal OF tul,crculin
testing done and we consider tubcr-
culin used In the hands OF an expert