DISEASES OF SHEEP 547 



turns at the ends, the square or oblong. For the single oblong dip- 

 ping we will give details of construction. In the use of this vat, 

 suitable for holding three sheep at once, time will be saved in dip- 

 ping if a long vat is used, so that the animals may swim directly 

 through without stopping, and then leave the tank. The tank 

 should be made about 2 x /2 feet broad at the top, 9 inches broad at 

 the bottom, and 4 to 5 feet deep. The length may be 20 to 120 

 feet, as desired. One end (the entrance) should be straight, or with 

 a steep slant, while the last 5 to 14 feet at the other end (exit) should 

 have a gradual slant with cross cleats. Vats are in use varying 

 from 10 to 120 feet long. Naturally, the longer the vat the more 

 building material and ooze will be required. 



The Dripping Pens. There should be two drippings pens, side 

 by side with a swinging gate at the entrance ; one pen is filled and 

 the gate is then closed, opening the other pen; when the second 

 pen is filled the first pen is emptied by allowing the sheep to pass 

 out into a large lot ; or the pens may be in direct line with the vat. 



These pens should have a slight incline toward the tub, so that 

 the dripping ooze will run back to the tub. A good plan is to build 

 the incline from the sides toward the center fence; under the fence 

 build a partially covered gutter inclining to the tub; the cover of 

 the gutter should be removable to allow cleaning; at the end of the 

 gutter nearest the tub place a grating to catch the wool and drop- 

 pings, thus preventing these materials from being washed into 

 the dip. 



The Incline to the Dripping Pens. At the end of the vat an 

 incline, with cross cleats, is built so that the sheep may leave the dip 

 of their own accord and enter the draining pens. A board fence, 

 2 feet high above the top of the vat, should run a few feet each side 

 of this incline, to prevent the sheep from escaping. The rise for fat, 

 heavy wool sheep must not be too steep, otherwise the exertion will 

 be too great. Some inclines are 5 feet 9 inches in a surface distance 

 of 14 feet 3 inches. 



Much labor will be saved if a hinged or, still better, a sliding 

 gate is placed at the deepest portion of the incline. The sheep may 

 thus be held in the dip as long as desired; when the time is up the 

 gate is opened and the sheep enter the draining pens. 



Shelter and Arrangements for Cleaning the Dipping Plant. 

 The vat, boilers, and dripping pens should be under cover, and it 

 will be well to extend the cover over the drive and the forcing pens. 



Cleaning the plant may be facilitated if the following sugges- 

 tions are observed: It is well to have one end of the vat slightly 

 lower than the other end, so that the ooze will run toward that point 

 when the tub is being emptied. If the entire floor of the collecting 

 pens is made of brick, cement, or boards, and inclines slightly to- 

 ward one or two points, the yards may be more easily cleaned by 

 means of a hose and stream of water. If this plan is adopted there 

 should be an upright baseboard or a solid wall of concrete or brick 

 a few inches in height running around the edge of the entire pen. 

 If there is direct sewer connection for the vat a trap or manhole 



