Show SMOKEY SAYS By Ranger KARL H. H HAASER Our mountain snow depth has increased considerably during the past month The entire mountain top is snow covered now Last year at this time tune there was as much bare ground exposed as there was snow covered Earlier this week I traveled to the top of the mountain with representatives from Utah State University Our objective was to secure some larkspur plants from under the snow for laboratory labora labora- laboratory tory analysis and controlled pro pro- Larkspur as you may maybe maybe maybe be aware is a poisonous plant that often times results in hi extensive extensive extensive ex ex- ex- ex livestock loss during the summer grazing period The snow depth varied from four feet on the level to dr drifts ts tsin in excess of 30 feet After digging down through a 15 foot snow dr drift t to reach plants which had been marked with 1 long 0 n g pol poles e s late last fall We were extremely surprised surprised surprised sur sur- to find numerous plants already growing under such a snow depth Most grass was green with new sprouts about an inch above the ground Dandelions Dandelions Dandelions' Dan Dan- delions delions' were growing vigorously Light readings taken indicate that sufficient ultraviolet light was penetrating the 15 feet depth of snow to support plant growth The temperature was about 31 degrees The larkspur plants were taken back to the University where they will be subjected to various tests By observing and testing these plants throughout the entire entire en en- tire year we hope to f find ind a weak link in their life cycle and determine determine de do termine when they might be most susceptible for control Through such cooperative ef of efforts efforts ef- ef forts between research and administration administration administration ad ad- ministration we hope to improve our mountain range conditions Inthe in inthe inthe the future |