576 MANUAL OF MODERN FARRIERY 



their eggs at the roots of the horns, or other parts 

 about the head, as well as under the tail, which in 

 the course of time will change into the grub or larva 

 state. It is the duty of the shepherd to see that 

 sheep are free from these, and to destroy their eggs 

 when he finds them. This is most effectually done 

 by the following ointment, which he must apply on 

 the places where eggs are deposited : 



Mercurial ointment . . i ounce, 

 Resin, finely ground . . i ounce, 

 Hogs' lard .... 3 ounces. 



Let the lard be melted in an earthen or other pot, 

 and the powdered resin added, and when properly 

 incorporated, let the ointment be put in, and the 

 whole stirred until cold, to prevent the mercury from 

 falling to the bottom. A very small portion of the 

 above, well rubbed on the parts, will have the 

 desired effect. 



As a preventive, the head and tail may be rubbed 

 with the following composition : 



Tar i pint, 



Train oil J gallon. 



The time when flies are most troublesome to sheep 

 is after shearing. Sheep that are fed on mountain- 

 pasture are free from the attacks of insects. 



WASHING. 



Preparatory to shearing, it is necessary to cleanse 

 the fleece. The best method of performing this 

 operation is to rail off a portion of the river, or 

 pond, with a sloping opening at one end, by which 

 the sheep are driven into the water, at a part so 

 deep that they will be unable to cross without 

 swimming. A cask loaded should be fixed so that 



