106 SHEEP FARMING IN AMERICA 



suspected infection, however, and not yet any out- 

 break, the sheep may be run through as rapidly as 

 convenient, being only sure that each one is com- 

 pletely immersed in the liquor, for they will remain 

 wet for 24 hours at least after emerging from the 

 dip. In a practice of many years the writer has 

 never had scab break out in a flock thoroughly 

 dipped once by simply running the sheep through. 

 There are other essential conditions to be observed, 

 however, which will be mentioned now. 



The dip should be hot. This does not mean warm, 

 nor boiling, but as hot as the operator can endure 

 to plunge in his bare arm. It is better to test the 

 temperature in this manner than by use of a ther- 

 mometer. If the latter is used a temperature of 

 110 deg. Fahrenheit will be about right, but the bare 

 skin is the best thermometer. V 



The water used must be softened or " broke/ 7 

 To do this use ordinary concentrated lye, enough to 

 make the water a little biting and give it an oily feel 

 like soap. This is an inexpensive process. 



The dip, whatever it is, must be used of good 

 strength. There are various good preparations in 

 use, most of which are effective if used of sufficient 

 strength. 



On the farm of the writer the coaltar prepara- 

 tions are used almost always, because they prove 

 effective and cheap, and are pleasant to operate 

 with. They are healing to the skin and effectually 

 dissipate any tendency to eye disease and are sure 

 death to all forms of insect life whatever. These 



