100 THE BIOLOGY OF HARDING COUNTY 



season. As a connecting link between these two conditions a 

 short grass cover which supports a scattered growth of taller 

 plants was found to indicate intermediate conditions as regards 

 water supply. 



"The area of greatest agricultural value one year with another 

 are those marked by the presence of the wire-grass vegetation. 

 Of almost equal value are the areas characterized by those phases 

 of the grama-buffalo-grass vegetation which are distinguished by 

 the presence of a considerable quantity of Pso-ralea or of wire- 

 grass. Bunch grass land is best for crops during especially dry 

 years, but is relatively the least productive during favorable years. 

 Typical short-grass land (grama-buffalo-grass association) pro>- 

 duces more than any other type during wet years, but is first 

 to fail in time of drought." (From Bulletin No. 201 Bureau of 

 Plant Industry U. S. D>ept. Agri. 1911.) 



5. POISONOUS PLANTS. 



(a) Locozveed. This is a low, stemless plant having a few 

 pinnate leaves and a clump of small, white flowers which re- 

 sembles those of beans. The seeds are borne in capsules which 

 rattle when dry. Stock which get the habit of eating this plant 

 finally gets "locoed." Horses are especially susceptible, partic- 

 ularly young horses. The loco leaves are green after the grass 

 has turned dry, and also early in spring. It is eaten more or 

 less by all live stock. It is dangerous only when an animals gets 

 the habit of making it the main article of its diet. This most 

 frequently takes place when the supply of grass is short. 



Symptoms. Two stages are recognized. The first, which may 

 last several months or longer is accompanied by defective eye- 

 sight and many queer actions. After acquiring a taste for the. 

 plant it refuses every other kind of food and the second stage, 

 characterized by sunken eyeballs, lusterless hair and feeble move- 

 ments, is ushered in. The animals die from starvation in periods 

 ranging from a few months to one or two years. 



Treatment of locoed animals. Animals in the earlier stages 

 can be cured by depriving them of opportunities of obtaining loco, 

 and feeding them" on nutritious food. Probably nothing is bet- 

 ter for locoed horses and cattle than turning them, under proper 

 conditions, into a field of alfalfa. Locoed animals are constipated. 



