298 Annual Ri^port Agriculturai. ExperimiSnt Station 



With an increasing number of stockmen, the feeding of soapweed 

 or pah-nilla (Yucca elata) as an emergency forage has become estab- 

 lished. This is prepared by chopping in small pieces the succulent 

 stems of the yucca, or soapweed plant, as described in a recent 

 Timely Hint published by this department of the Experiment Sta- 

 tion. By means best suited to his local conditions, the successful 

 stockman must plan to carry a reserve feed supply sufficient to 

 tide his herd over an unfavorable period of six months or longer. 

 Until he does this his business is destined to continue uncertain. 

 This may be done by putting up hay or silage, growing forage under 

 irrigation, feeding concentrates, maintaining winter irrigated or 

 range pastures, or thru diversified grazing ranges. 



Unfavorable seasonal conditions like the present period, which 

 have now extended over one full year, must make clear to stock- 

 men the value of grazing ranges that have a diversified forage 

 growth over those that have but one type of forage growth, as for 

 example, the bunch grasses. Not only have losses of stock gen- 

 erally been less on ranges with a diversified growth of shrubs, 

 grasses, and miscellaneous plants than on ranges with one domi- 

 nant type of plant growth, but stock have likewise come thru the 

 year in better condition. Such ranges are practically year-round 

 pn.stures, tho their maximum forage production during favorable 

 seasons may not be as great as that of some of the better perennial 

 grass ranges. During the present droughty period the desert ranges 

 have been of least value, since, outside of the growth of cacti, which 

 alone is not sufficient to sustain animals, they have produced little 

 forage. High mountain ranges, naturally, supply feed for but six 

 or seven months at best, and during the winter period the stock 

 must be moved to the lower altitudes and grazed or fed. 



POISON PLANT INVESTICxATIONS 

 The writer was a member of the squad of livestock specialists 

 that visited the stock raising areas of north central and eastern 

 Arizona during the past summer. Beginning with August 13, three 

 weeks were devoted to this work which was planned by Director 

 Taylor of the Agricultural Extension Service. The subject discussed 

 by the writer was poison plants of our grazing ranges. Prepared 

 specimens of our more important poisonous plants were shown and 

 the commoner poisonous plants of the locality were collected and 

 studied in the field. Eighteen meetings were held and generally a 

 fine interest was shown by stockmen. Particular attention was 

 given towards helping the stockman to know poison plants on the 



