218 



MODERN SHEEP: BREEDS AND MANAGEMENT. 



has been in evidence the flock becomes so badly infested with ticks 

 and lice by midwinter that something radical has to be done to 

 save the flock from what at times appears to be utter destruction, 

 for, no matter how well it is fed, its members become poorer day 

 by day and seem to do but little else than rub themselves in the 

 vain attempt to rid themselves of their tormentors. In such 

 cases the only way to proceed is to dip the afflicted ariimals in a 

 warm dip and crowd them as closely together as possible in the 

 warmest section of the sheep barn, to insure warmth while drying. 

 The better way to do, however, is to make it a rule to dip at a 

 certain fixed time in the fall and head off all such troubles. 



As I have often pointed out in former writings, sheep breed- 

 ers cannot afford to spend the time in preparing home-made dips 

 so long as they can have laid down at their doors as it were, at a 

 mere nominal cost a tried, reliable and effective dip manufactured 

 by scientists who have made the dipping question a life study 



Modern Steel Dipping Tank. 



both in the stock pens and laboratory. Proprietary dips are the 

 acme of perfection so far as external parasitic destroyers are con- 

 cerned. They are safe, effective and economical in the strictest 

 sense of these terms and the day of experimenting with them is 

 almost past. There should be no loss from dipping where reasonable 

 care is observed. Of course, if you allow the dripping sheep to 

 drip on nearby pastures and other sheep eat of them, trouble might 

 follow. To insure risk from loss the sheep should be allowed to 

 stay in the pens until dripping ceases. Every farmer with twenty- 

 five .head of sheep should have a small dipping plant. This can be 

 bought at a small cost, much less in most instances than a home- 

 made one can be made. A very convenient steel dipping tank 

 is now on the market which is in every way satisfactory, both as far 

 as utility and price go. 



Since the author's aim and duty is to make this work as prac- 

 tical as possible, it belongs to him to give what is supposed to be 

 the most valuable and reliable information regarding such appli- 

 ances as are necessary to the successful management of the flock, 



