The border vidette., 1907-08-24

A few days since the local office of the Forestry Service was visited by Dr. c. Dwight Marsh, one of the oldest and most experienced men of the Bureau of Plant Industry branch of the Agricultural Department. pr. Marsh was here in the interests of the cattle men to investigate the causes for the percentage of losses sustained by them in horses during the last two seasons
 The two chief districts in which this trouble has been appearing have been the country on the Santa Cruz River lying in the vicinity of Harrison's Ranch and the district around Gala basas. The local Forestry Service has been in correspondence with the De- partment for some time past concern ing the matter, and a result of Dr. Marsh's visit it is probable that dur ing the early part of next spring the Bureau of Animal Industry will have a man in the vicinity for several weeks to study local conditions and to give his special attention to ascertaining what is causing the heavy loss among the range horses
 The Dr. was able to spend but two days on this trip, owing to the great demand for his services in this line all over the west, but during these two days he made as extensive study of the matter as possible, being assisted therein by several of the cattle men, who took him all over the range and gave him a splendid opportunity to see just what was the problem confronting the stock raisers. Though loco weed was searched for very carefully, with the exception of very few specimens, not enough in themselves to do the damage, the Doctor and his helpers were unable to fad any weed which would be likely to cause serious harm to the stock.
 The Doctor performed an autopsy on a horse at Harrison's Ranch, the animal showing every indication of being loccod, but the autopsy failed to solve the problem, although several facts were ascertained which may as sist later in the search for the real cause of the trouble This autopsy seemed to disprove the theory which some of the stockmen have held that the trouble was caused by ticks. Though ticks were found in the ears
 
 the specialist that ali animals in poor condition of health are infested by these pests, and that therefore their presence was probably caused by the bad health of the animal and not the animals ill health by their presence.
 In the Calabasas country it was intended that another autopsy should have been performed, but unfort- unately the subject died before Dr. Marsh arrived.
 As Dr. Marsh is familiar with a very large number ot varieties of loco weed, gathered from the ranges all over the west. and examined at his experiment. station at Hugo, Colorado, and as he was unable to discover any dangerous weed Tn sufficient quantity to cause the damage, 1t is probable that either the cause is some hitherto unknown weed of a poisonous variety, or that owing to the lateness of the season the weed which has been doing the damage has disappeared from the ranges. Apparently the Doctor holds to the latter theory. and it is his in tention i'll the spring either to return in person to this section or to send a thoroughly competent expert who will remain long enough to clear up tine mystery, as the noxious weed will at that season in all proba bility show it's presence more plainly than at any other time.
 Tho stockmen are greatly encour- aged by the visit of Dr. Marsh, and 1t is now practically certain that the De- partment of Agriculture through the Bureau of Plant Industry, will pursue the investigation to a successful con- clIsion, and that the stockmen will at least be made acquainted with the cause for the great havoc among the stock. and in all reliability be able to rid themselves of whatever may be caus ng the trouble.