m 



THE FARM. 



ping each other at their edges, and from this time onward the number of 

 small milk teeth and of broad permanent teeth can usually be made out 

 with ease. Another distinguishing feature is the yellow or dark coloration 

 of the fangs of the milk teeth, while the exposed portions of the pennanent 

 teeth are white, clear, and pearly. The successive pairs of permanent teeth 

 make their appearance through the gums in advanced breeds at about the 

 following dates: The first pair at one year; the second pair at one year and 

 a half; the third pair at two years and three months; the fourth and last 

 pair at three years. It ■will be observed that between the appearance of the 

 first two pairs there is an interval of six months, while after this each pair 

 come up nine months after its predecessors. For backward grades, and 

 the unimproved breeds, the eruption is about six months later for each 

 pair of teeth, but even with them the mouth is full at three years and six 

 months. 



SHeep Ticks — How to Get Rid of Tliem. — Sheep ticks are much more 

 numerous and more annoying than many suppose. Men of experience with 

 large flocks generally know and apply the necessary remedies, but there are 



hundreds of farmers whose 

 time and attention are 

 principally directed to 

 grain growing, etc., and 

 who keep but a few sheep, 

 whose flocks are sorely 

 troubled by this parasite, 

 and they never discover 

 the cause of the evil. The 

 accompanying engraving of 

 the insect in its different 

 stages, is from the Cyclo- 

 paedia of Agriculture. 



The sheep tick or louse 

 lives amongst the wool, and 

 is exceedingly annoying to lambs. Their oval, shining bodies, like the pips 

 of small apples, and similar in color, may be found attached by the pointed 

 end to the wool. (See engraving Fig. 1; Fig. 2, the same magnified.) These 

 are not the eggs, but the pupre, which are laid by the female, and are at firat 

 soft and white. From these issue the ticks (Fig. 3; Fig. i, the same magni- 

 fied), which are horny, bristly, and dull ochre; the head is orbicular, witli 

 two dark eyes (Fig. 5), and a rostrum in front, enclosmg three fine curved 

 tubes (Fig. 6), for piercing the skin and sucking the blood. The body is 

 large, leathery, purse-shaped and whitish when aUve, and notched at "the 

 apex. The six legs are stout, very bristly, and the feet are furnished with 

 strong double claws. Tho EngUsh remedi(!3 are a wash of arsenic, soft 

 soap and potash, decoction of tobacco, train oil ^vith spirits of turpentine, 

 and mercurial ointment. 



Ticks, when very numerous, greatly annoy and enfeeble sheep, and 

 should be kept out of the flock if possible. After shearing, the heat and 

 cold, the rubbing and biting of the sheep, seen drive off the tick and it takes 

 refuge in tho long wool of the lamb. Wait a fortnight after shearing to allow 

 all to make this transfer of residence; then boil refuse tobacco leaves until 

 tho decoction is strong euough to lull ticks beyond a peradveuture. This 

 may be readily tested by experiment. Five or six pounds of cheap plug to- 



SHEEP TICKS, MAGNIFIED. 



