LIVE STOCK. 163 



Lice on Cattle. — A correspondent of the Country Gentlenxan aaya on 

 this subject: The more common remedies recommended for relieving cattle 

 and stock from lice are more or less dangerous to life or health, and must 

 be used with extreme care. An unfailing remedy which may be used by 

 any one without danger to life or limb would be a boon to many farmers. 

 Such a remedy we have in the bee-larkspur of our flower-gardens. A strong 

 tea made from the seeds or foliage of the plant can be used as a wash with 

 perfect safety. Any part of the plant may be used in making the wash, 

 either green or dried. The plant should be gathered before it is frosted, 

 and cured and preserved as other herbs are. In the use of kerosene, mer- 

 curial ointment, tobacco, etc., great care must be used or injury results from 

 absorption; it enters the hmbs or other paibs of the animal and is often a 

 permanent injury. No such danger need be apprehended in the use of 

 larkspur. All the parts where the vermin lodge should be well scrubbed 

 with the wash, and if thoroughly well done in a pleasant, mild day, one ap- 

 pUcation is suflicient. In former days, when school children were troubled, 

 I have heard old people tell their experience in using this remedy to their 

 complete satisfaction. Another equally harmless remedy is aloes in fine 

 powder, which may be used dry by filling a common pepper box with the 

 powder and sprinkling it freely into the hair on the neck, back, sides and 

 rump of the infested animal. Rub it thoroughly through the hair and on 

 the skin with the ends of the fingers. Leave the animal undisturbed for a 

 *reek, then card thoroughly and apply as before. Continue this at inter\'al8 

 of a week, till not a Uving parasite is lefl. Usually two applications, if thor- 

 oughly made, will suflBce. 



Another writer says that to destroy hce on live stock he has found no- 

 thing better than strong carboUc soapsuds. The soap usually sold under 

 that name is not strong enough for the purpose. It may be easily prepared 

 and at any degree of strength that may be required. Get a pound of car- 

 boUc acid crystals, which may be had at any wholesale druggiBt's. I get 

 them in Boston at a cost of sixty cents per pound. Take ten pounds of com- 

 mon bar soap, put in a pan with a Uttle water and heat until dissolved. 

 Take out the cork from the bottle containing the acid, and set it in hot water, 

 which will cause the acid to become fluid; add this to the soap and stir well. 

 Set away to cool and you will have a soap at a small cost that will be strong 

 enough to kill any vermin which infest domestic animals, and which will 

 cure bam itch or any cutaneous diseases to which they are hable. It ia 

 good to cleanse and heal sores, and a wash of it wiU be found good where 

 animals are hide-bound and the skin out of condition; it will be found good 

 to wash the inside of poultry houses to render them sweet and kill and pre- 

 vent vermin. It is a cheap, safe and sure remedy, and should find a place 

 in all well regulated premises. 



A stock-grower, writing to the New York club, gives his mode of de- 

 stroying Uce on cattle. He says: " I destroy them with brine — any kind of 

 salt water wiU do it. I find two kinds of Uce; the blue lice, and I think the 

 other is hen Uc§. I tried red precipitate one year; it lolled the Uce, two 

 yearlings, and a two-year old. But washing the cattle with brine is easier, 

 and they get into the habit of Ucking one another, and are more gentle 

 toward each other. 



Anothef writer recommends grease. He says: "Insects breathe by 

 means of small pores on their sides. Grease or oil that comes in contact 

 with the insects closes the pores and stops the breathing. Mercurial oint- 

 ment kill? as much by the lard in it as by the mercury— that is, so fer as th^ 



