Weekly journal-miner., 1919-06-18

! "1 tiLS OllEtI slly oI -tTlZOna, and i)T
 flight. state veterinarian. were noti-
 fed of the losses and samples of the cured weeds from both ranches were sent i'll sufficient quantity for both cAemical and feeding tests.
 The researches offhcse two author ities are still in progress and will be reported a. they reach some conclu- sion. Meanwhile it is learned that various Stocknen of Yavapai have had stock. calvesN cows, and hogs. killed by feeding the green careless weed and that death resulted quickly after the plant was eaten.
 Some cattlemen have thought that the heaviest losses were caused by the dry seeds which are small but .vcry pricl1ly and irritating. It has been suggested that the poison is sometimes due to improper curing, as happens with second growth cane al times.
 About half a dozen stockmen have been found who knew personally of losses from this weed and the state authorities are anxious 10 have re- ports from anyone who knows of such losses Such information sent to this department will greatly assist the invetigation now in progress.
 Identification of Range Pants.
 Within the past ten years many pants and grasses hitherto unknown have appeared in parts of Northern Arizona. Some of these are weeds that have already become serious pests in certain localities; others promise valuable help in restoring dcnuded ranges Specimens of plants that are rev and tl.at promise to be either q help or a menace should be sent to Dr. J. J. Thornber, U. of A., Tucson, Arizona. for Identification and for suggestions as to checking or extended distribution.
 Plants travel in many ways but weeds are most widely distributed through seed grains and food grains used for stock. The first of the vel low-blossomed bull nettle" that is such a pest all through the western wheat fields appeared at It. Whipple many years ago along the cavalry ,corrals. From there it has spread till it is pest on many an Arizona ranch, and each summer flood dis tributes the seed more widely
 Both the Canadian and the Russian thistle first appeared in Yavapai at Ft. Whipple where it had undoubt- cdIy come in forage for the cavalry. Probably not many stockmcn wnoI watch eagerly to see the "i1arce" start in fall and spring know that this most valuable plant is also traveller, a native of Southern Europe brought 10 Mexico in the &oof of the sheep driven by the first explorers. and distributed through California and later into Arizona in the same way This forage plant is now so valued that tne seed sells for 75. rents q pound.
 A Book On Arizona Plants
 and Flowers.
 Almost weekly I am asked if there is a good book on the overs and plants of Arizona. The only such book is a small volume, "A Hand l bool, of. Western Wild Flowers" by i our own Dr. J. D Thornber and Miss Margaret Armstrong. This book i covers the entire Southwest, not thoroughly but in q very interesting and useful manner. It has many illustrations and is just the . size for a pocket in an outing suit. !
 There are several very valuable ! bulletins on range plants and grasses 1 that may be obtained from the U. of . A. at Tucson or from the department | of agriculture at Washington, D. C.
 A Western Bird Book.
 Just now while Yavapai is full of auto tourists and summer campers we should remember another sort of [ summer visitor the throngs of birds i hat fill our trees and hills. There is | very fine little handbook to help Is know these birds. "A Handbook of Western Birds" very small and con -ise but beautifully illustrated and strong on the birds of Arizona. Either of these can be or lered through Acker's Book Store
 Let Us Make Ready for
 Frontier Days. Il
 Yes, everybody is making ready v cady to welcome the some-coming ready to enjoy the cowboy ports, ready for a great good time; i' ,ut this Frontier Week should have 1
 still deeper value to many of us in i favapai. especially to us who live ut on ranches. Let us make it a re- s .nion. a time for meeting old friends, i or finding out what changes are be- |; ng made all over the county. This morning a letter came 10 this { department from one Of Yavapai's cal pioneers. a man who knew Pres ott in its early days and whose own i fe is part of our permanent history. { Ic is coming back to Prescott for | frontier Week-he hopes to meet all rv he Yavapa pioneers that are left at s hat time. I wish that every pioneer r