618 



Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 



[Sept. 2, 1920. 



From my observations this season, I would recommend that once a sheep 

 is observed to be affected it should be treated at once. The best method, 1 

 find, is to shear the affected part fairly close all round, and well into the 

 unaffected wool, and ap[)ly the carbolic dip in the proportion of 1 part dip 

 to 10 parts watei'. If the flesh is raw, a weaker dilution should be used. 



The efficiency of the vai-ious applications is indicated by the number of sheep 

 that had to be ti'cated for blow-fly infestation after the sprayings had ctiased. 

 The records show that between 13th April and 19th May the numbers 

 in the various groups that had to be treated and dressed for infestation 

 were : — 



Group 1 



5) ^ 



„ 3 



Spraying Mixture. 



Proprietary dip containing 



arsenic and sulphur 

 Simple arsenic solution 

 Proprietary dip having carbolic 



acid as basis ... 

 Not sprayed 



The Castration of Lambs. 



The operation of castrating lambs, as it is carried out by many farmers and 

 station owners, latel}^ cFime under the criticism of a farmer in the Taree 

 district, on the grounds of the pain inflicted on the animals. The following 

 paragraph on the subject, provided by the veterinaiy othcers of the Stock 

 Branch, will be of interest to owners of stock. 



"The castration of all animals involves considerable pain, no matter what 

 method is used. Ideally it could be largely pre\ented, but owing to economic 

 and practical difficulties it is never likely to be entix'ely avoided. The method 

 of castrating lambs by pulling with the teeth is simply one of custom, and 

 could b'j replaced by cutting the spermatic cord in place of tearing it ofl". 

 The fact that the blood-vessels are ruptured instead of being cut clean acts as 

 a preventive to hemorrhage, though this is not likely to be great with such 

 young animals, and could be avoided by using a small emasculator. The use 

 of the teeth could wt'll be replaced by using small clamps. Theoretically, it 

 is probable that more pain is inflicted by tearing than by simple cutting and 

 ciushing, and there is no doubt the old custom of pulling out by the teeth 

 will gradually he superseded by the methods mentioned above, but the process 

 will be slow, and depends on education. So far as the operation goes, there is 

 no advantage in tearing out." 



A Dam that did not "Hold." 



We have a new dam in red soil which does not hold quite as well as it should, 

 though it is better since the sheep have trampled it in. Would you tell me 

 how you would puddle it ? 



The question came; fi-om the central west, and the Department's Overseer 

 of Works, presuming that the seepage was at the sides, advised the corres- 

 jiondent to cut a trench 18 inches wide and the full depth of the dam, and to 

 fill this with clay, ramming each layer of 6 inches hard. 



