GOATS ON FAR WESTERN RANGES. S$ 
Browse should be available on kidding ranges, to provide buds, 
fresh leaves, tender twigs, and variety in the feed, which are funda- 
mental requirements, especially when the growth of grass is deferred 
by drought or late season. 
Nearly all species of browse are grazed to some extent by goats, 
though certain species are of much greater value than others. The 
species of mountain mahogany (Cercocarpus spp.) are among the 
most important kinds of goat forage. They are very palatable, 
abundant, and widely distributed; they produce a large amount of 
forage; are not easily injured by grazing; and most of them are 
evergreen. 3 
The palatable oaks (Quercus spp.) also furnish a considerable pro- 
portion of the browse forage for goats. ‘The evergreen oaks are of 
great importance throughout the entire year. Gambel oak (Q. 
gambelit), New Mexican oak (VY. novomexicana), and other de- 
ciduous oaks are of value chiefly during the summer, not only be- 
cause they drop their leaves in winter but because ordinarily they 
erow av elevations too high for satisfactory winter use. The oaks 
are generally of only moderately high palatability; they derive their 
importance as goat forage chiefly from their distribution and abun- 
dance. Several other important browse species of moderately high 
palatability are garrya’ (Garrya spp.), maple (Acer spp.), snow- 
berry (Symphoricarpos spp.), cherry (Prunus spp.), willow (Salix 
spp.), sage (Artemisia spp.), and Apache plume (Fallugia para- 
doua). 
The blue brush ? (Ceanothus integerrimus) of the Pacific coast and 
Fendler’s ceanothus ((’. fendleri) of the Rocky Mountains are of 
very high forage value. The blue brush is probably the most valu- 
able browse species on the Pacific coast. Several other species of 
ceanothus ? furnish considerable forage for goats. Other important 
browse species of very high palatability are fendlera (Fendlera 
spp.), bitter brush (/funzta tridentata), lemita or skunk bush 
(Schmalizia spp.), New Mexican locust (Robinia neomericana), 
service berry (Amelanchier spp.), and rose (Rosa spp.). 
Manzanita (Arctostaphylos spp.) is grazed rather freely in south- 
ern New Mexico, but in California and Oregon it is eaten only when 
the range is overgrazed. In the spring it is often peeled by the goats, 
apparently for the sap. 
There are undoubtedly many other browse species of high forage 
value for goats. Additional observations are necessary to determine 
their importance. Among such species are probably simmondsia 
1QLoecally called quinine bush. 
2 Also called wild lilac, sweet birch, and white birch. 
3 Some of the most important are Gregg’s ceanothus (C. greggii), white thorn (CC. cay- 
dulatus), ved ceanothus (C. sanguineus), and wedge-leaved ceanothus (C.. cuneatus), 
locally called ‘ chamise.”’ _ 
