REPORT OF THE STATISTICIAN. 107 



tions of Califoruia', owing to tbe failure of the usual amount of rain, 

 heavy losses have resulted from lack «f feed. In Kern, there was no 

 feed outside of alfalfa-lands ; 25 per cent, died of starvation, not over 5 

 per cent, of the lambs had been saved, and thousands of sheep had been 

 sold at 37J to 50 cents per head, to be driven to Nevada and Oregon. 

 In Stanislaus and southward they were reduced to the starvation point 

 and dying rapidly; had been sold as low as 13 cents per head. In San 

 Diego one-third in many flocks had died. 



Diseases. — No extraordinary diseases have prevailed. lu all sections, 

 in localities vvhere the necessary means of prevention and cure have 

 been neglected, foot-rot and scab had been perpetuated. Grub in the 

 head is noted in a few localities in Ohio. In the Southern States the 

 disease called "rot" is frequently noted, particularly in localities where 

 sheep " are not well cared for." In the same section, next to exposure 

 and starvation, "dog-slaughter"' is the most pestilent disease, and the 

 one which has more influence than all others in discouraging sheep- 

 husbandry. 



Eemedyfor scab. — Californians recommend, as the cheapest remedy, and 

 as eliectual as any, a dip made from lime 1 part, and sulphur 2 parts, 

 boiled together until both are dissolved; then reduce with hot water, 150 

 parts to 1, making the temperature of the dip 112° Fahr. They dip 

 by swimming the sheep through a trough of the following dimensions : 



24 feet long, 8 inches wide at the bottom, 30 inches at the top, with 

 an inclined platform at one end for the sheep to drain upon, the liquid 

 passing back into the trough. A half-barrel of lime and one barrel of 

 sulphur is sufficient for 1,500 sheep. The sheep should bo dipped 

 at shearing, and again ten days after. They should be kept from the 

 old yard and placed on a clean range. The cure will bo permanent, 

 unless they again come in contact with diseased sheep. In Humboldt 

 about 25 per cent, have the scab. Most of the sheep are shorn twice 

 each year. After being shorn, diseased flocks are dipped in a strong 

 decoction of tobacco. One dipping generally does till the next shearing. 



Losses. —TXiid localities and causes of the heavier losses definitely 

 reported were as follows : Disease of the throat : Jackson, Mississippi, 



25 per cent. Diarrhea or purging : Loudoun, Virginia, and Campbell, 

 Tennessee, 15 i^er cent.; Lake, Illinois, 10 per cent. Scab: Kaufman, 

 Texas, and Taylor, Iowa, 10 per cent. Scab and hunger : Bee, Texas, 

 15 to 20 per cent. Rot : Wilkes, North Carolina, Union, Georgia, and 

 Morgan, Tennessee, 10 per cent. ; Monroe, Tennessee, 30 per cent. Foot- 

 rot : Some flocks in San Jacinto, Texas, 50 per cent. Foot-rot and other 

 diseases : Licking and Morrow, Ohio, 10 per cent. Exposure and hun- 

 ger : Gaston, North Carolina, and Kosciusko, Indiana, 10 per cent.; Clai- 

 borne, Louisiana, and Hillsdale, Michigan, 20 per cent. ; Clay, North Car- 

 olina, and Navarro, Texas, 25 i)er cent. Wolves : Freeborn, Minnesota, 

 20 per cent. Wolves and dogs : Nodaway, Missouri, 25 per cent. Dogs : 

 Craighead, Arkansas, 15 percent. Causes not known or not named: 

 Harnett, North Carolina, and Marion, Kentucky, 10 per cent. In flocks 

 of 200 or more, in Carroll, Kentucky, 20 per cent. 



Extraordinary losses of spring lambs were reported in Prince George's, 

 Maryland ; Grenada, and Greene, Mississippi ; and Monroe and Blount, 

 Tennessee. 



Swine. — Diseases. — In New England, where hogs are kept in small 

 lots, and usually well cared for, no disease prevailed the past year. In 

 Columbia, Nevr^York, about 5 per cent, of the hogs died of luug-disease, 

 ascribed to want of cleaniineas in their pens. A " peculiar disease," by 

 irlaioh the affected Buddenly become sore in the bacik and hams, and 



