1^6 journal of Agriculture , Victoria. [lo March, 1912 



but such preventive procedure is scarcely practicable on larger areas. 

 From what has been previously said as to the beneficial effects of draining, 

 this preventive measure should not be neglected. Of course, the expense 

 of under-draining will be an effective bar to its adoption on a large scale, 

 but where stud sheep are being reared the expense will show ample 

 recompense. Pipe draining is not necessary ; an equally effective and 

 much cheaper plan is to place two straight saplings, 8 or 9 inches thick, 

 3 or '4 inches apart in the bottom of the cut drain, theri put 'a third 

 sapling on the top to keep the other two apart and form an eye or channel, 

 and fill in a covering of scrub or brushwood over the saplings before 

 replacing the earth. vSurface draining by the running of plough furrows 

 and helping here and there with the spade, can be done at moderate 

 expense even on large areas, and it should be done wherever surface water 

 is apt to remain, so that likely breeding places for parasites may be done 

 away with. 



Preventive and Tonic Licks. 



Except in so far as the licks usually recommended act as tonics and 

 alteratives and so help tO' keep the sheep in robust health and thriving 

 condition, it may be doubted whether they are really preventive of para- 

 sitic invasion. Their use should certainly never be allowed to excuse the 

 carrying out of the previously detailed measures which, being based on 

 scientific knowledge of the nature of the invasion and means of spread of 

 its cause, are truly preventive. Nevertheless custom and experience have 

 spoken to the usefulness of these licks and a word or two may be said 

 about them. 



Salt. — Experienced authorities hold that, apart from the question of 

 preventing attacks of parasites, it pays well to give sheep all the salt they 

 will take, the expense and trouble showing a good return in more and 

 better mutton and more and better wool. In some districts where the salt 

 bushes have not been eaten out and where the land and herbage are of a 

 saline nature sheep may not need an artificial supply, but wherever on 

 trial it is found they will take it an ample .supply of rock salt should 

 always be made available. Liverpool salt {i.e., coarse, crushed rock salt) 

 is preferred by some, and it certainly constitutes a good vehicle for the 

 admixture of other worm medicines. Whatever salt or lick is used should 

 be protected from waste by rain by being placed in covered troughs. 



Salt and Iron. — Sulphate of iron, finely powdered and mixed welT 

 with Liverpool salt in the proportion of one part (| cwt.) of the former to- 

 40 parts (i ton) of the latter. This to be constantly available to sheep 

 in country at all subject to fluke and worms, and to be given in even 

 S'Ound country (other than true salt-bu.?h country), when the season is such 

 as is likely to favour parasitic infection. Where sheep are actually infested 

 this lick may be improved as an appetite stimulant by the addition of 

 flowers of sulphur and ground ginger in the proportion of one-half the 

 amount of the sulphate of iron. 



Salt and Lime. — A mixture of slaked lime, i part, and Liverpool 

 salt, 12 parts, to which may be added one half -part of sulphate of irorr 

 or ground ginger or both. 



Salt and Turpentine. — Mix thoroughly one pint of turpentine with 

 from 28 lbs. to 56 lbs. Liverpool salt according to condition and age of 

 sheep ; spread thinly in weather -protected troughs. As an active vermifuge- 

 for tapeworms half-a-p3und of powdered areca nut mav be added to this- 

 lick. 



