Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927, 1909-08-06
INVESTIGATIONS BY
THE GOVERNMENT
attempt to Eradicate from the For.
est Reserve Plants Poisonous
to Live Stock.

In connection with the forestr
work there has been no more in
portant undertaking than that whic
is now going on for the protectio
OF live stock on the reserves.
mas Deen announced that the poison
Gus plant Investigations on the yari
Gus national forests are being con
unued during the present season
For several years the Forest Service
IN cooperation with the Bureau O
Plant Industry, has been maxim,
poisonous plant Investigations ON th,
national forests which have been OF
distinct value to stockmen. Will,
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.
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 death are so heavy as to material
ly cut into the profits of the business
While no general plan of Kidding
the range of these plants has vet
oeen devised, IL has been possible
oy close study of poison range 10
determine the particular species of
plant responsible for the trouble
Many times an exhaustive study of
the plant has proved that IL occurs
only on small areas which could
easily be avoided Other poisonous
plants, like lupines or wild pea. have
been found to be almost harmless NJ
certain times of the year. and NJ
Su'h times may be eaten by all kinds
OF stock with little danger.
An instance Of the benefit of these
investigations is found on the Manti
National Forest in Utah. Consider
able loss by death was sustained each
year among sheep being taken over
an old established trail to summer
ranges. Upon investigation by an
expert II was learned that the Inn
mediate cause Of death was a specles
OF chokeberry upon which the bnn-
CRY sheep browsed as they passed
over the trail. Having determined
the species of plant responsible for
the losses, the remedy was slmple
nut effectual Certain portions Of
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
which could be moved but SLOWLY
smaller bands were trailed. and so
FAR as possible they were allowed 10
I'LL up on healthy forage before en-
tering the dangerous area. The
trail was also improved wherever
practicable and by this means II was
possible to get the sheep through in
much better shape and with little or
no loss.
Areas where poisonous plants are
particularly plentiful are Tagged"
by the forest rangers so that the
herders may have warning Of their
condition, and where the area in
VOWED Is not too great in extent.
fences are built around them so that
stock Ike horses and cattle could
not reach them It Is believed that
some OF these poisonous plants can
be choIed out by planting certain
aggressive grasses which In time
VIII take full possession OF the
ranges. Other plants like the wild
which IS so fatal TO cattle.
grow to such height as 10 be easily
seen and arc not so numerous but
that they can be completely oradl-
Gated from a range by pulling them
mp by The roots.
Cooperation between the ranger
force and the interested stockmon
promises 20 work wonders along
.hls line and ovory effort VIII be
made 10 assist the stockowncrs I'm
their stock from death BY
these plants.