INCREASED CATTLE PRODUCTION. ~— 27 
was still rather tough, and the stock had difficulty in eating it. This 
was due, in large part, to the fact that the ensilage machine used 
would not chop the thick, tough leaves fine enough. Portions 6 
inches long were not uncommon. A machine which would chop the 
leaves into smaller pieces would improve the ensilage a good deal. 
The soap weed can be cut, hauled, and put into the silo at a cost 
of $2 to $2.50 per ton, not including cost of the silo. It takes two or 
more years after the first cutting for the plants to produce a growth 
of leaves large enough for a second. It would not be practicable 
therefore to fill a silo each year in the same place. This, of course, is 
something of a disadvantage. 
Though the test has just begun, it seems probable that soap weed 
may prove of considerable value as ensilage.. Further tests will be 
made to determine feeding value and secure more complete data on 
costs and returns. 
PREVENTION OF BLACKLEG. 
During the month of May, 1915, more than 50 head of young steers 
out of approximately 1,000 head in one pasture of the Reserve died 
of blackleg.. Prior to this time losses were rather heavy among the 
weaned calves. A campaign for systematic vaccination of all stock 
between the ages of approximately 5 months and 20 months was 
started in the fall of 1915 and has been continued to date. 
The vaccination is done, for the most part, during the fall round-up 
and again during the early spring. The idea is to vaccinate twice a 
year. as a preventive of blacklee, not as a cure. About 2,500 doses 
of the Government blackleg vaccine were administered during 1916. 
The vaccine was prepared carefully and administered carefully and 
every reasonable precaution taken to insure thoroughness. The 
area is large, however, and it is next to impossible to get all the ani- 
mals for vaccination at the proper time. Consequently a small loss 
is expected. The test, however, is a demonstration of what can be 
accomplished under range conditions on a large scale. 
_A loss of 27 head during 1916 was attributed to blackleg; but in 
the case of at least three of these there was some doubt as to the’ cause 
of death, since the animals were not found until several days after- 
wards. ‘This means a loss for the year of approximately 1 per cent of 
the average number of stock between the ages of 5 and 20 months, 
but less than 1 per cent of the total stock of susceptible age. On the 
basis of the average number of stock on the Reserve during the year, 
it is equivalent to a loss of a little over one-half of 1 per cent. One 
stockman on range adjoining the Reserve reported a loss of 100 head 
from blackleg during the first half of 1916 from approximately the 
same number of stock as are on the Reserve. 
