638 



are sufficient. As an illustration, say, the small half circular mark 

 is chosen (it is usually called " half-hapeny "). For the first year it 

 may be placed on the back of the near ear ; for the second year 

 on the back of the off ear ; for the third year on the front of the 

 near ear ; for the fourth year on the front of the off ear ; and for 

 the fifth year a double mark on the back of the near ear. The 

 mark for age can then go back to the first year's mark. This 

 virtually gives marks for six years, as there is no mistaking the 

 weaners for the old ewes. 



Then comes the mark for the flock, which may be called the 

 owner's or station mark. The station or flock mark and the marks 

 for age should be in opposite ears to mark ewes from wethers. It 

 may consist of a square, round, or diamond punch-hole in the 

 centre of the ear. I have seen a Maltese cross punched out of the 

 body of the ear look very well. Punches of any pattern the owner 

 may fancy may be obtained with the ear-markers supplied by the 

 leading ironmongers. 



There is an elaborate system of marking recommended for stud 

 sheep by which each individual sheep may be identified, but I have 

 never seen it in practice. The usual custom with stud stock is to 

 tattoo with Indian ink a number on the inside of one ear, and the 

 flock mark on the other. The metal loop having letter or mark 

 and number is often used with stud sheep, but never with a general 

 flock. 



SHEEP BRANDING. 



A perfect sheep brand one that can be clearly distinguish 

 and will yet do no harm to the wool has yet to be discovered. 

 The European manufacturers are loud in their complaints of the 

 mischief wrought to the weaving machinery by tar brands, and 

 strongly recommend their disuse. The substance sold for sheep 

 branding, known as " tattoo oil," is said to be much superior to 

 tar. It is not high priced, and it is mixed ready for use. Lamp 

 black and boiled oil are frequently used for sheep marking in the 

 proportion of I Ib of lamp black to three quarters of a gallon of 

 boiled oil. 



Some years ago I saw in the Scientific American the following 

 recommended as a waterproof marking for sheep : " Shellac 

 2 oz., borax 2 oz., water 25 oz., gum arabic 2 oz., lamp black suffi- 

 cient. Boil the shellac and borax together in water till they are 

 dissolved and withdraw from the fire. When the solution has 

 become cold complete 25 oz. with water and add lamp black 

 enough to bring the preparation to suitable consistency. For red 

 marking substitute Venetian red ; for blue, ultramarine ; and for 

 green a mixture of ultramarine and yellow." This plan might be 

 used for stud sheep where it was desirable to have a distinct 

 brand. 



