15 



ing to seven ounces, less than half a pound, which had been discarded 

 from the material used in the above feedings, were fed to the same 

 sheep. About half an hour after feeding, it had a slight nervous 

 trembling, resembling the first symptoms exhibited when an animal 

 becomes poisoned with this plant. No other symptoms developed. It 

 appears therefore from this series of feedings that as the leaves expand 

 and become green they cease to be poisonous. 



The growth in February was due to abnormally warm weather ; and 

 ordinarily the first green shoots would not appear till some weeks later 

 in the season. 



Such early spring growth is very tempting, being about the only 

 green feed available, and is highly dangerous to live stock. 



Feeding Older Tops to Sheep. 



Table No. VI gives results of feeding older tops to sheep. 



TABLE No. VI 

 POISON PARSNIP (WATER HEMLOCK). THE OLD GREEN PLANT FED TO SHEEP 



As will be seen from the above table single feedings up to six pounds 

 were made without producing any symptoms. A sheep was fed 

 amounts varying from 7 to 10 pounds daily for four days, making a 

 total of 35 pounds, without showing any symptoms. Two sheep were 

 fed 22 pounds in four days without showing any symptoms. 



This shows that the older tops are practically, if not entirely, non- 

 poisonous, and that there is no danger in feeding them, or allowing 

 sheep to graze upon them, or in feeding hay containing water hemlock 

 tops. 



Feeding Old Water Hemlock Tubers to Cattle. 



Table No. VII shows the results of feeding fully matured tubers 



to cattle. 



TABLE No. VII 



POISON PARSNIP (WATER HEMLOCK). OLD TUBERS FED TO CATTLE 



A cow was fed four ounces without producing any symptoms, and 

 four days later eight ounces were fed with no effect. Two days later 



