THE SHEPHERD'S MANUAL. 



figures 16 and 17), is calculated for small flocks, or for a few hun- 

 dred lambs. For larger flocks, a larger tank is provided, 12 feet 

 long, three feet wide, and four feet deep. A fenced platform leads 

 from a pen hi which the sheep are gathered, up to the edge of the 

 dipping tank, and the sheep are taken one by one from the pen, 

 led up the platform, and pushed into the tank in which the dip 

 is sufficiently deep to cover them. As the sheep plunge into the 

 dip, they are seized, and kept beneath it, except the head, which 

 alone is sufiered to emerge above it. If hi their struggles a little 

 of the dip should enter their nostrils, no harm results, but the hot 

 tobacco water is, on the contrary, often beneficial to those sheep 

 which are affected by catarrh or grub in the head, and the violent 

 sneezings which follow may help to free them from these trouble- 

 some parasites which often inhabit the nasal sinuses. The sheep 

 are rapidly passed 

 from hand to hand 

 along the tank un- 

 til they reach the 

 end, where there is 

 a sloping plank 

 upon which they 

 can walk up to 

 another platform. 

 Here they are al- 

 lowed to remain 

 while the excess of 

 dip is squeezed 

 from their wool. 

 From this the 

 liquid drains into tubs, and is carried to the boiler to be re- 

 heated, and then returned to the tank for use again. The cost of 

 dipping a large flock, numbering several thousands, in this man- 

 ner twice in the season is five cents a head, and the improvement 

 in the quality of the wool, which results from the cleansing of the 

 skin from dust, grease, and the accumulated refuse of its secre- 

 tions, and its increase in quantity consequent upon the greater 

 comfort of the sheep and their escape from the persecution of 

 ticks and other parasites, is estimated at 20 cents per head, so that 

 the cost is repaid more than three-fold. The comforting knowl- 

 edge to the humane shepherd that his flock is freed from a most 

 annoying torment, is also something, which, although it does not 

 enter into a pecuniary calculation, and is not measured by dollars 

 and cents, yet is not on that account unworthy of consideration, 



Fig. 17. TROUGH FOB DIPPING LAMBS. 



