26o 



PRINCIPAL STOCK-POISO^^NG PLANTS 



lowing years the plants became so weakened that a height growth 

 of 6 inches was not attained until approximately August 15. 



If the soil is free from rock outcrop, trees, and shrubs, the 

 actual cost of cutting is less than that of grubbing. However, 

 because the cutting method requires transporting labor to the 



area four times instead of once, 

 as the grubbing method re- 

 quires, the latter appears to be 

 the more practicable. Attempts 

 have been made to destroy 

 larkspur by spraying with 

 plant poisons, but the results 

 have never been satisfactory. 

 A preventive measure which 

 has proved satisfactory under 

 some conditions is that of graz- 

 ing the larkspur areas with 

 sheep early in the spring, con- 

 fining the band to the larkspur 

 patches. If larkspur is grubbed 

 or grazed over, the chances 

 of cattle being poisoned are 

 greatly lessened, for a large 

 amount of the plant is required to cause death. 



Very hungry cattle should not be driven over areas on which 

 larkspur grows luxuriantly, and they should be watched with 

 especial care early in the season, as they are likely at that time 

 to be in poor condition, and will eat plants which they do not 

 touch when they are well fed. 



The heaviest losses from larkspur usually occur during or 

 immediately after a storm. It is important, therefore, to eradi- 

 cate or fence larkspur patches where the animals go for shelter 

 during inclement weather. The use of fences is to be recom- 

 mended only if the area covered by larkspur is too large to be 

 grubbed. Nearly always grubbing is cheaper and more effective 

 than fencing. 



-HAZEL HOE, USED IN GRUB- 

 BING TALL LARKSPUR. 



