42 



BULLETIIiT 791, U. S, DEPAKTMBNT OF AGEICULTURE. 



The relative palatability and forage value of the different species 

 making up the second-weed-stage consociation are summarized in 

 Table 4. Palatability is here classed as high, medium, low, negative, 

 and objectionable; abundance as dense, moderately dense, scattered, 

 and very scattered. Of the 27 species listed, 17, or 63 per cent, are 

 either highly or moderately palatable to sheep; while only 9, or 33 



Bladder pod 

 (Lesquerella utahensis) . 



Plantain 

 (Plantago Uveedyi). 



Fig. 16. — Plants characteristic ofthe early second-weed stage. 



per cent, and 5, or 18 per cent, are either highly or moderatel}'' 

 palatable to cattle and horses, respectively. Those of low forage 

 value number 8, or 30 per cent, in the case of sheep, none being listed 

 as negative in forage value ; in the case of cattle 16, or 59 per cent, are 

 low or negative in palatability; and in the case of horses 20, or 74 

 per eent, are listed in the same category. The species of greatest 

 abundance are much more palatable to sheep than to cattle and 

 horses. Accordingly, it is evident that, so far as the forage is con- 



