Bisbee daily review., 1909-08-13
ID EXTERM|NATE
 PLANTS

Considerable attention is to bs given the riading of the ranges ox cochise, Santa Cruz and Pima coup- ties Of poisonous plants. The govern nlsnt, in taking up this work, hopes 10 make much hsadway before the end of tie season.
 For several years the forest sery- ies, iB cooperation with the Bureas n Pisat Industry, has been maktng poisonous plant investigations on tho ns,ioHsl forests which have been q distinct value 10 sfockmen. While ths bsmbsr Of such investigations is ef necessity limited. every effort is made to give prompt attention to lo- csiitiss where great Or unusual loss ss of stock have occurred.
 The an1si loss from poisonous plants in many localities is quite heavy and some ranges are becoming practically useless on account of these plants. Or If used the losses by death are % heavy as to materially cut into the profits of the business.
 While no general plan of riddinx the range Of these plants has yee been devised. i, has been possible by close study of poison range to de- termine the particular species of plant responsible for the trouble. Many times an exhaustive stcdy of the plant has proved that f occurs only cn samll areas which could easily be avoided Other poisonous plants like the lupines or woid pea have been found to be almost harm less at certain times of the year. and at such times may be eaten by all kinds of stock with little danger.
 An instance of The benefit of these investigations is found on the aanti national forest in Utah. Consider able loss by death was sustained each year among sheep being taken over an old established trail to sum mer ranges. Upon investigation by an expert it was learned that the immediate cause of death was spe- cies of chokeberry, upon which the hungry sheep browsed as they passed ] over the trail. Having determined the species of plant responsible for the losses, the remedy was simple, but, effectual Certain portions of the old trail were abandoned, and along other portions the chokeberry bushes were cut out. The method of handling the sheep was also changed. Instead of large bands | winch could De moved put SLOWLY,
 smaller bands were trailed, and 50 far as possible they were allowed to fill up on healthful forage before en- | tering the dangerous area. The trail was so improved wherever practicar ible and by this means it was possible to get the sheep through in much bet ter shape and with little or no loss. Areas where poisonous plants are particularly plentiful are Tagged by the forest ranger so that the herders may have warning of their condition, and where the area involved is not too great in extent. fences are built around them so that stock like horses and cattle could not reach them. It is believed that some of these poison ous plants can be choked out by planting certain aggressive grasses which in time will take possession of 1 the ranges. Other plants like the | wild parsnip, which is so fatal to cattle, grow to such a height as to be easily, seen and are not so numerous but that they can be completely erad- icated from range by pulling them up by the roots.
 Cooperation between the ranger force and the interested stockmen promises to work wonders along this line and every effort will be made to assist the stockmen in protecting ! their stock from death by these plants.