The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1909-08-11
tRoISON gp.eNTs
UNDER SCRUTINY
ws Where ClokechcrTaes
Killed sheep Is Related as Evil
dence of Value OF, the Work

WASHINGTON. d. c.. Aug. e.-The
poisonous plant Investigations on the
various National Forests are being
continued during the present season.
For several years the Forest SerrHe
in cooperation with the bureau of
plant industry, has been making pois-
onous plant Investigations on the Ma
tional Forests which have been of
distinct value to stocKmen. While the
number Of such Investigations is of
necessity limited. every effort is made
to give prompt attention to localities
where great or unusual losses of stock
have occurred.
Annual loss Heavy.
The annual loss from poisonous
plants in many localities is quite
heavy and some ranges are becoming
practically useless on account OF
these plants. or il used the losses by
dealt or so heavy as to materially cut
into the profits Of the business.
While no general plan of Kidding
the range of these plants has yet
been devised, it has been possible by
close study of a poison range to de-
termine the particular species Of plant
responsible for the trouble. Many
times an exhaustive study of the plant
areas which could easily be avoided.
Other poisonous plants like the Lu-
pines or wild pea have been found to
be almost harmless at certain times
of the year. and at such times may be
eaten by all kinds of stock with little
danger.
Chokecl.errics Kill sheep.
An instance of the benefit of these
investigations is found on the Nanti
National Forests in Utah. Consider
Fable loss by death was sustained each
year among sheep being taken over
al old established trail to summer
ranges. Upon investigation by an ex-
pert it was learned that the immediate
cause of death was IL species of choke
oh cry upon which the hungry sheep
browsed as they passed over the trail.
Having determined the species re-
sponsible for the losses, the remedy
was simple but effectual. Certain por-
tons of the old trail were abandoned,
cherry bushes were cut out. The
method of handling the sheep was
also .changed. Instead, of large bands
which could be moved but slowly,
smaller bands were tralled, ana so
far as possible they were allowed to
fill up ION healthy forage before en-
tering the+ dangerous area. The trail
was also improved wherever practical
BILE and by this means it was possible
to get the sheep through in much
better shape and with little Or no loss.
Fad Areas Are Tagged.
Areas where poisonous plants are
particularly plentiful are tagged by
| the Forest rangers so that the herders
/ may have warming of their condition,
land where the area involved is not
Ftoo great in extent, fences are built
around. them SO that stock like horses
and. cattle could not reach them. 1t
Ia believed that some of these pOiS-
onous plants can be choked out by
planting certain aggressive grasses
which in time will take fullopossession
of the ranges. Other plants like the
wild parsnip which is so fatal to cat
lille, grow to such heights as to be
easily seen and are not so numerous
but that they can be completely Grad
heated from a range by pulling them
up by the roots. q.
Cooperation between the Ranger
ltforce and the Interested ,stockmen
promises to work wonders along this
CINE and every effort will be made to
assist the stock owners in protecting
,tAeir stock from death by these plants.