420 now TO MAKE THE FARM PAY. 



city, are preparing to manufacture them on a large scale, 

 Selecting and Marking can be done at shearing time. The 

 breeder should have a box of type, or large letters cut in the 

 ends of blocks of soft wood. The following brands are conve- 

 nient. The initial? of the owner's name, and in addition a B 

 for those that are to go to the butcher, for very choice ewes, 

 and the initials of each of your rams for marking the sheep 

 after they are topped. At shearing time the owner should 

 stand by and examine each sheep and decide what mark should 

 be put upon it. At no other time can the decision be made so 

 well ; the shape, sizo, and weight of fleece are now seen. 

 Breeding qualities are also to be taken into account. All im- 

 perfect sheep should be drafted out of the flock, if perfection is 

 desired. Where all are to be sold, only the initials of the 

 owner need be branded, but choice sheep may well be marked, 

 and perhaps an extra price can be obtained. The branding is 

 done with a mixture of lampblack, turpentine, and oil. Oil 

 and turpentine boiled, and lampblack stirred in while boiling, 

 is another mixture, to be applied warm. Some have a series of 

 figures and stamp the age at every shearing. Those who make 

 breeding their business have an elaborate system of marking 

 and registering. A little copper plate, fastened to a ring in 

 the ear, is a neat and simple contrivance. The plate contains 

 the mitials and a number ; opposite that number in the owner's 

 book a description of the sheep is placed. After shearing, the 

 sheep should have shelter at hand until they are able to endure 

 the cold rain storms which often occur in June. TiCKS can be 

 killed by dipping the sheep in tobacco water. Make enough 

 to cover a good sized lamb and strong enough to kill any ticks 

 you pull off and throw into it. One man holds the fore legs and 

 nose and another the hind legs, and then dip the sheep into the 

 tub or box. Set it into another tub or box, squeeze out the 



