Sheep in New York State 1799 



them in smaller ones is of benefit. Dogs will chase sheep so belled, 

 but they are not so likely to. The chief value of the bells is that 

 they give the alarm, and the sheep can he saved. Often the dog 

 is caught in the act — a great source of satisfaction to the catcher. 

 Such l)ells can be heard a mile when the wind is in the right di- 

 rection. 



Laws compelling the registration and tagging of dogs are of 

 material benefit. Such are in existence in some counties. Any 

 board of supervisors in Xew York State has power to enact such 

 a law. This reduces the number of dogs, particularly those most 

 likely to run at large, and also identifies them. Better than either 

 of the above, is a woven wire fence four feet high with posts not 

 farther than twelve feet apart, the wire close to the ground and a 

 barbed wire on top. This will keep the sheep in and the dogs 

 out, and is the most economical fence to build. 



INJURIOUS PARASITES AND DISEASES 



While the loss is not so apparent, unquestionably that from 

 internal parasites and disease has been much greater than from 

 dogs. ^lany have given up their flocks on this account. Most 

 of such parasites can be easily controlled by feeding tobacco. 

 This should be placed with the salt in proportion to one quart of 

 tobacco to three of salt and kept before them continually both 

 winter and summer. The stems are best run through a feed 

 cutter, but the dust will answer the same purpose, or the cheaper 

 grades of smoking tobacco. I have met several farmers who raise 

 a small piece of tobacco for this purpose. Sheep do not care for 

 it at first, but — like men — after they acquire the habit, they 

 become very fond of it and pick it out from the salt. 



Much has been said about " grub in the head." Doubtless, 

 well-matured sheep with plenty of grub in the stomach will suffer 

 little from this trouble. There is no danger of the grubs going 

 to the brain. They are in the sinuses of the nose and will crawl 

 out in due time, later turning into a fly which will lay eggs for 

 more grubs and cause the sheep much annoyance. If sheep 

 can lie in cool, shady places they will have less trouble from this 

 pest. A pole smeared with tar, against which they must rub the 

 nose when eating salt, will prevent the entrance of the fly into 

 the nostril. 



