POISONOUS PLANTS. 



103 



Treatment. — The only practical and satisfactory treatment 

 is to remove the animal entirely from the range where he can 

 secure the plant. 



BATTLE BOX, (Crotalaria sagittalis), 



Description. — This is an annual, growing three to eighteen 

 inches high ; the plant is hairy ; the leaves are oval or lanceolate, 

 with very short stems, simple and undivided ; flowers resembling 

 somewhat those of the common pea. The pods are very dark 

 m color or nearly black, and about one inch in length. When 

 dried they are rather hard so that when the seeds have become 

 loosened and the pods are shaken it gives quite the effect of a 

 rattlebox. 



FIG. 39. POISONOUS PLANTS. (CHESTNUT.) 

 "Wooly Loco. Rattlebox. Stemless Loco. 



This plant grows in damp, sandy soils, and over a very 

 large section of country especially along the Missouri River. 

 At some seasons it causes quite serious loss. The poisonous 

 principle has not been demonstrated, but it is apparently held by 

 both the seeds and leaves. The loss occurs most frequently when 

 stock is fed hay containing the dried plant. The trouble does 

 not occur very frequently with animals in pasture. 



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