SHEEP TICK AND ITS ERADICATION BY DIPPING. 25 



north and south, with the entrance at the south and the exit at the 

 north, as it has been observed that sheep work better also when not 

 facing- the sun. If the ground selected has good natural drainage, 

 it is a point in favor of the location. 



CORRALS AND CHUTES. 



In constructing a dipping plant the arrangement of the corrals is 

 important. The receiving corrals, into which the sheep are driven 

 preparatory to dipping, as well as the holding corrals, into which 

 they go from the draining pens, each should be large enough to hold 

 a full band of sheep, or about 3,000 head. The receiving corral 

 should be constructed so that there may be the least practicable num- 

 ber of corners or places in which the sheep may become jammed or 

 '' piled up." 



In an effort to get out a sheep will try to go back to the place where 

 it entered the corral ; therefore, if the entrance gate is near the vat the 

 herd will tend to crowd toward the vat and thus save considerable 

 work in getting them into the chute or catch pen. The corrals and 

 chutes may be so arranged that a combination legging pen and run- 

 ning chute is provided. Sheep usually work Avell in a chute the first 

 time they are dipped at a vat, but in the case of old ewes that have 

 been dipped several times at the same vat it is often necessary to put 

 them into the vat by hand. The location and arrangement of the 

 chutes are sometimes changed from year to year so the sheep may not 

 recognize them so readily. The running chute should be curved to 

 obstruct the view, and the side on which the men work should be 

 tight-boarded. The usual height for the sides of the chute is 40 

 inches, and the width of the chute 18 to 22 inches, depending on the 

 size of the sheep. Sheep work well uphill but not down an incline; 

 the chutes and alleys, therefore, should be upgrade to the vat. If 

 necessary, elevate the running chute so that it slants upward to the 

 slide board. A small pen should be provided near the entrance to 

 the vat and so arranged that the sheep may see it. This pen, known 

 as a " decoy pen," is filled w^ith sheep to induce the other members of 

 the flock to work toward the vat more readily in theii' efforts to join 

 those in the pen. The size and arrangement of the corrals will vary 

 necessarily with the topography of the location and the individual 

 ideas or tastes of the owner. 



DRAINING PENS. 



When a sheep emerges from the vat it carries out a large quantity 

 of dip in the fleece. Most of this dip drains out of the fleece very 

 rapidly, and it is desirable that it be saved and returned to the vat. 

 Draining pens with water-tight floors sloping toward the vat, there- 



