DIPPING. 31 



thriving condition throughout the Summer and Autumn, the 

 selection can be safely made, and' some two months' extra 

 pushing will make the culls ready for the butcher. 



DIPPING. 



As soon as practicable say, when the ewes are shorn, and 

 before they are weaned all the lambs should be dipped ; and to 

 thoroughly eradicate ticks, the ewes should be dipped also, but in 

 their case the process should be repeated in Autumn. The object 

 of dipping is to destroy the parasites in the fleece ; to kill off 

 any young insects which may afterwards hatch out ; and to 

 protect the sheep from subsequent attacks. 



Experience has taught us that sheep thrive much better when 

 their skins are clean ; and it has been clearly proved that a 

 good Dip increases the quantity and improves the quality of the 

 wool. It is absolutely impossible for lambs infested with ticks 

 or other parasites, to thrive properly, owing to the constant 

 irritation set up. In trying to get relief, lambs often nibble at 

 the fleece and swallow small portions of wool, with fatal results. 

 A good and regular system of dipping the entire flock is money 

 well expended. Hence most leading flockmasters dip twice'in the 

 season ; once as indicated, and again in the autumn. 



The modes of dipping are various. For small flocks the 

 hand-bath is in general use ; but the swim-bath is by far the best 

 when flocks are large enough for its adoption ; as this system gives 

 much less trouble, saves labour and expense, and the operation 

 is far more effectual. 



As to the kind of Dip, opinions differ. If, in addition to 

 cleansing the fleece, it is required to preserve the flock from 

 fresh attack surely a matter of paramount importance a 

 "poisonous" Dip must be selected. Amongst these Cooper's is 

 of course supreme, as it is most carefully prepared by qualified 

 men of large experience, whose sole aim during the last sixty years 

 has been to produce a first-class Dip. 



