10 July, 1919.] P!a7is for a Sheep Dip. 433 



PLANS OF A SHEEP DIP. 



A. W . Ciirlewis, Stock Inspector. 



The following is the description of a sheep dip recently constructed by 

 Mr. J. F. Laffan, " Inverlocky," Wallan, who very kindly supplied me 

 with all particulars, including cost of material and labour, and also with 

 a plan. 



The bath is circular, with a centre pillar, or " island," similar to one 

 of those described briefly, from a plan supplied, in a former issue of the 

 Journal. Mr. Laffan, however, obtained the idea of his dip from another 

 source, and having used it this year (dipping rather late), is thoroughly 

 satisfied with it in every respect. In my opinion it is vary suitable for 

 dipping small or moderately large flocks, and is economical in the matter 

 of quantity of dipping material used. The owner states that af.er 

 putting his lambs through, there was left only about 2 feet depth of 

 wash, representing 330 gallons. (Tiiree feet in the bath represents 550 

 gallons.) 



Material. — -For bath and ramp, bricks grouted in cement were used, 

 and for draining yards cement concrete. 



Go7istruction — Bath. — Brickwork of 9 inches, the wal's backed up or 

 puddled with 6 inches of good " pug," and faced or rendered on the 

 inside with half-inch of cement mortar, on© part cement to three of good 

 sand (washed). 



The wall or pillar is of same material, the centre being filled with 

 pug concreted over, and finally rendered with cement mortar. 



Diraensions. — Eight feet in diameter at top (inside), and 6 ft. 4 in 

 at bottom, depth 5 ft. 6 in. 



The pillar wall is 4 ft. 4 in. in diameter at top, and 4 ft. 8 in. at 

 bottom, thus leaving a circular space of 1 ft. 10 in. at the top and 10 

 inches at the bottom, varied slightly, however, by the pillar being drawn 

 in a little opposite the " slide-in," to allow more room for the sheep to 

 drop in. 



At left of exit to ramp a strong 1 ft. 9i in. gate is swung, 1-ft. d in 

 gudgeons being passed through brickwork and pug, and bolted to sleeper 

 on outside. This gate, when closed, prevents sheep leaving the bath until 

 thoroughly dipped, and when opened turns them into ramp. 



The ramp, or, " walk out," is 12 feet in length, 1 ft. 10 in. wide, and 

 slopes upwards from 5 ft. 6 in. to the surface^ of draining yards. A 

 movable grating, like a ladder, fits into floor of ramp, to give the sheep 

 a good foot-hold, and the end butts up against a brick flange at the foot. 

 This is an important detail, and being movable, it can be taken out and 

 the ramp cleaned easily. 



Draining Yards. — Two, each 12 x 18 feet. In the centre fence there is 

 a gate swung on the end opposite the " walk-out," so that the yards may 

 be used alternately. Fall from centre fence to drain, on outside fence, 

 1 in 4, and fall from end of yards to bath, 1 in 7. There is a half round 

 drain, 2J inches deep in centre and 1 foot wide, down both sides and 

 along end to draining wells. The drain is sloped up to a stone edging 

 (grouted), under bottom rail of fence. The draining yards have a 

 foundation of bluestone rubble, leveUed off with coarse, and then fine, 

 sand, on which is laid the floor of cerhent concrete, 6 inches thick, faced 



