138 BRITISH SHEEP AND SHEPHERDING. 



danger of it. A block of rock-salt should be kept in the fold, 

 so that they may lick it as Nature dictates. 



It is always recognised that lambs, in fact, all sheep, do best 

 where not in too large a number. This is particularly the case 

 where lambs are receiving corn or special food, as the stronger 

 shove aside the weaker. The weaker should, therefore, be kept 

 by themselves where practicable. 



In Summer. At weaning, the lambs should be taken a long 

 distance from their mothers, so that they will not hear the call of 

 the latter. Their food should be particularly good on weaning, 

 so that they may not miss the effect of their mothers' milk. Their 

 folds should be changed daily, so that they get a fresh feed. 

 The dipping should not be delayed, as the wool is long enough 

 to carry sufficient of the solution to keep them free from ticks, 

 lice, and scab through summer. As they are small and have little 

 wool, the operation is quickly effected. An autumn dipping is 

 also beneficial, and the lambs will be more comfortable and thrive 

 better for it in the spring. Properly constructed dipping troughs 

 are supplied by makers of the better kinds of dipping powder, 

 and these are more convenient than a rough arrangement of tubs. 

 It is always advisable to allow the sheep to drain on a piece of fallow 

 ground, so that the drippings of the solution do not affect pasturage 

 which will be eaten. The sheep may be fed through the hurdles 

 meantime. 



The dipping has a very marked effect in keeping off the fly 

 which causes maggot on sheep ; but after a time it cannot be 

 relied upon. Throughout summer one of the shepherd's first 

 duties is to detect sheep which have been struck with the fly. 

 The fly generally settles on moist parts about the tail, though 

 the loin and shoulder are favourite positions. A keen shepherd 

 will notice the discolouration of the wool very early, while a care- 

 less man will let the maggots commit serious pain and injury 

 before he can see that the animal has been struck. Early signs 

 are that the sheep is inclined to draw away from its companions, 

 and that it switches its tail frequently. Later, it looks round at 

 the place, and perhaps pulls the wool. Then the wool becomes 

 loose and broken, and a streak of brown, foul moisture is seen. 

 In large fields, with overgrown fences, sheep are occasionally 

 lost in the surrounding ditches, through the carelessness of the 

 shepherd, and are eaten alive. Mercurial ointments were commonly 

 used a few years ago to get rid of the maggots, but they were 

 dangerous as, if too freely used on broken skin, they were liable 

 to cause poisoning. Simple remedies are found in milk and turpen- 

 tine, and many other mixtures, but McDougall's Fly Oil is by far 

 the best I have used, for it not only at once kills the maggots, 

 but heals the wound. Before disturbing the colony of maggots, 



