FIELD NATURALISTS' CLUB. 253 



London Pzirple is recommended in the proportions of two 

 table-spoons to a pail of water. This was applied to a pony in 

 Texas literally covered with ticks, and a single application was 

 sufficient to kill every one. But the dangers of using such 

 violent poisons cannot be too strongly urged. 



McDougaWs Cold water Dipis not infrequently recommended, 

 the strength being 1 in 20. A letter from a farmer in South 

 Africa gives the following details. " One gallon of dip will wash 

 45 head of cattle. We did this to a span of oxen which returned 

 from East London covered with ticks and a fortnight after- 

 wards not a tick remained on them. The ticks do not appear 

 to die at once, but all fall off in a few days. Last year we lost 

 seven calves ; on opening them we found that they had 

 swallowed a quantity of hair by licking themselves. This year 

 we washed them a few weeks after birth with this dip, and I 

 am pleased to say we have not lost any. If the farmers would 

 wash their cattle twice a year to keep off flies, ticks &c, they 

 would soon find that their cattle would feed better, look better 

 and pay better. One penny for dip, with a little labour, will 

 often save a beast's life which otherwise would have died from 

 setwie or ticks." 



It is doubtful whether applications at such long intervals 

 would be really effective, especially where there are heavy rains. 



Another wash sometimes recommended is a decoction of 

 Tobacco water mixed with salt. The strength may be about 

 1 lb of common tobacco with 10 quarts of boiling water. Mr. 

 Goodwin recommends that the tobacco wash to be of any use 

 should be saturated with salt, a formula which finds favour with 

 other writers. 



Cooper's Sheep Dip has been recommended for the removal of 

 ticks. It is primarily made up for animals which do not lick 

 themselves ; but as cattle do this, it becomes necessary to 

 exercise care because of its poisonous nature. The makers advise 

 that the sediment should be allowed to settle and the clear liquid 

 alone be used. 



A good deal may be said of a Lime and Sulphur dip made 

 according to the following prescription. Newly slaked lime, 16 lbs., 

 flowers of sulphur, 25 lbs., water 50 gallons. Mix the lime and 

 sulphur dry and pass them through a sieve. Boil for 20 to 30 

 minutes and allow the sediment to fall. Use only the clear 

 liquid. No harm will accrue from the cattle licking themselves, 

 but this will be of benefit to them. 



The objection to poisonous liquids being used on estates in 

 large quantities is sufficiently obvious ; and some of the above 

 mentioned washes will therefore be useless in these islands. There 

 is another objection which applies to liquids which are not of an 

 pily consistence, namely the frequency of application which is 



