102 THE BIOLOGY OF HARDING COUNTY 



6. PLANTS USED IN MEDICINE. 



Quite a variety of plants which are used in medicine and for 

 which, under proper conditions, have a market value, occur in 

 this county. For directions concerning collecting, as well as 

 description, price, etc., see Farmer's Bulletin 188 U. S. Dept. of 

 Agriculture which can be secured free of charge through your 

 Congressman or Senator. A list of the plants treated in this 

 bulletin which are found somewhat commonly in these counties 

 are as follows : 



Tansy (Tanacetum mlgdre). 



Gum plant (Grindclia sqitarrosa). 



Yarrow (Achillea uriltifoliitm). 



Fleabane (Eriogerou [Lcptilon] canadcnsis). 



Wormseed (Chcnopodinm anibrosioides, etc.). 



Mustard (Brassica nigra and Sinapis alba). 



At least two other species not mentioned in Farmer's Bul- 

 letin 1 88, of considerable medical importance are locally common 

 in this area. 



Oregon grape (Bcrberis aquifoliuin). (Rhizons and roots). 



Slippery elm (Ulnus fulra). (Inner bark). 



7. PLANTS AS SOURCES OE FOOD. 



The chief wild fruits are ( I ) the plum found in thickets along- 

 all wooded valleys (2) chokccherry found with the plum (3) sand- 

 cherry, occasional on buttes, etc. (4) buffalo-berry found in 

 thickets along streams, especially in the badlands. (5) wild goose- 

 berry and currants along the flood plains and in the woods. (6) 

 The June or senice berry occurs scattering in brush especially in 

 the forest reserves. 



Herbs used 'somewhat for food include the Indian Turnip 

 (Psoraela), ground cherry (Physalis), and night shade (Solannm). 



8. PLANTS AS SOURCES OF WOOD. 



With about 100,000 acres of Harding County included within 

 national and state forest reserves, the natural assumption is that 

 there is considerable timber of economic importance. Before the 

 establishment of the federal reserves there had been saw mills 

 in each of the forest buttes, and many of the larger trees were 



