72 BULLETIN 12 45, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 



frequently eat enough to produce fatal consequences. Later in the 

 season there is very much less danger from larkspur because of the 

 abundance of other feed. If, however, cattle are driven from one 

 range to another and the trail passes through a mass of tall larkspur, 

 it is not at all unusual for the hungry animals to grab hastily at the 

 plants, and this may result in disastrous consequences. Under such 

 circumstances it is important that the cattle shall not be driven 

 rapidly, for if so driven they will snatch all the more. They should 

 also have been thoroughly fed before going on such a drive. 



This has been illustrated in certain places in Colorado, where it is 

 customary to drive cattle from one range to another, and for years 

 there were always heavy losses. In the old days it was the custom 

 to gather the cattle together and rush them as rapidly as possible 

 through the place where the tall larkspur was growing. Losses 

 invariably occurred. In recent years, instead of gathering the cattle 

 together they have been put through the drive in small numbers 

 and have been allowed to feed before starting. They are not driven 

 rapidly. Under such conditions no losses have occurred. 



It is also evident, from what has been said earlier in this bulletin, 

 that if cattle can be kept from fields of larkspur until after the plant 

 has blossomed, little trouble may be expected. This method has 

 been used for many years in certain regions in Colorado, where it 

 is a common practice to "ride for poison," as it is called; that is, 

 the herders ride and keep the cattle down from the higher ranges 

 until the larkspur has blossomed and matured, after which there is 

 no further danger. The same thing has been accomplished in cer- 

 tain regions by putting up drift fences which are designed to keep 

 the cattle on the lower ranges until the danger is past. There are 

 valleys known as death traps for cattle. Frequently it will be found 

 that in these valleys the tall larkspur is thriving in large clumps, and 

 cattle drifting in will feed freely upon it. It is often possible under 

 such conditions to clear out this larkspur, or enough of it so there 

 will be no danger. In order to kill the plants, the roots of most of 

 the species should be cut off at least 6 or 8 inches below the surface. 



The losses of sheep from death camas (Zygadenus) occur under 

 very similar conditions to those of cattle from larkspur. The grassy 

 death camas grows very early in the spring. It precedes the grasses 

 in its growth and is present in a succulent condition at a time when 

 other forage is extremely scarce. Inasmuch as it occurs frequently 

 in large masses, if sheep are trailed over these places they are liable 

 to get enough to cause heavy losses. It is particularly important in 

 the handling of sheep in such localities that, if possible, they be 

 grazed in loose order. In fact, this is true of the handling of sheep 

 under all circumstances. When the animals are massed together they 

 will eat everything in their course, and, because of jealousy, will take 

 particular pains to get every available plant. If, on the other hand, 

 they are kept in loose order and spread widely over the range, they 

 are much less likely to eat any poisonous plant. 



This applies equally well to lupine poisoning. When sheep are 

 allowed to feed freely on a lupine patch and are moved without 

 any haste, no harmful results will occur. If, however, they are 

 massed together and driven in close formation over such a patch, 



