Bisbee daily review., 1906-04-17
ARIZONA HORSES DfINGI
Hundreds Are Being Killed by Eating Loco Weed in Va
 yapai County,
ANIMALS LIVE BUT
 VERY SHORT TIME

J. P. storm is authority for the statement that nearly all Of the horses on the Chino Valley and upper Verde | ranges have died or are in a useless l condition from the effects of the loco weed, which Is now to be found all over that section. Within the past week thirty fine saddle horses belong ing to King Brothers have been ruined from eating it. many of which died, while the water holes all over the ranges bear mute evidence of dead animals to be seen which have died from its use. says the Prescott Jour nsl-Miner.
 He brought with him from the val ley a sackful of the weed, which has laid low many useful equines and ruined forever a number of others. He gave the consignment to J. C. Stephens. the stockman. who imme- miately expressed it to the agricul- tural department at Washington. which has taken the matter up with him with view of finding some rem edy for its fatal effects on horses. At first glance the weed resembles to scme extent alfalfa, but closer ex- animation discloses the fact that il bears no relation to that useful fodder plant.
 u C. Stephens. when interviewed concerning the matter, which is an all-impoTtant one to stockmen, said: T called the attention of the agricul- tural department to the great loss in the herds of our horses on the ranges from the effects of eating this weed during the past winter and spring months and sent two consignments of the weed to Washington, upon which they desired to make tests with a view of discovering some antidote for it. The authorities there have sent for another. bunch, which I sent today. and in addition to this a government expert is expected to arrive here in a very short time to make a personal examination and report of the con ditions as now existing.
 '.Dr. Days attention was called to 1t some time ago, and he has been of great deal of assistance to me in getting the government authorities in terested in the matter. The horses on the ranges of both Chino valleys and the upper Verde section are now al most dead or useless from eating it, and losses are also reported from the Walnut Grove and Kirkland sections. where it was never known to have dcne any damage before. Stockmen on the Oak creek country report that cattle in that vicinity are dying from it. which las been almost unheard of before in this part of Arizona
 Describing its effects on horses. he stated that any animal which eats dead loco will live. as a general rule. but a very short time. Once the ani- maj acquires an appetite for it, all othor food appears to be despi5ed by it. while horses which eat only the grs5n stuff may live for years, but are useless as far as any practical service is concerned. Some cannot be even led with halter, while others when saddled will pitch backwards and appear to have entirely lost the power Of instinct. When led to water they will not drink, appearing to be absolutely obvious of the surround ines. although known to be thirSty. while others will drink so heartily when given the fluid out ia bucket that they will at times bloat from its effects. The greatest losses in stock from the poisonous weed are noted to be in the winter time during the ab- sencs of other green feed. but when a horse once tastes it he never misses ar opportunity 10 nibble 1t. almost always cutliving his usefulness in very short time.