TEXAS TICKS 431 



To prepare the stock emulsion for use, it is diluted with water to a 

 20 or 25 per cent emulsion. In order to obtain a 20 per cent emulsion 

 of oil, it is necessary to use one part of the stock emulsion to three parts 

 of water, and for a 25 per cent emulsion, one part of stock emulsion 

 to 2\ parts of water. The stock emulsion is permanent, but the diluted 

 emulsion does not remain uniformly mixed, so that if allowed to stand 

 it should be thoroughly mixed by stirring before using. Only rain 

 or freestone water should be used for diluting, and if this is not available, 

 the water should be " softened " by adding a sufficient amount of con- 

 centrated lye, sal soda, or washing powder. Care should be observed in 

 this process not to use an excess of these preparations. 



An 80 per cent stock emulsion is on the market, and much time and 

 labor can be saved by obtaining this instead of making the emulsion. 

 To prepare it for use, it should be diluted in the same manner as in- 

 dicated above for the home-made stock emulsion. 



The arsenical dip. — This dip is used considerably, on account of its 

 cheapness and the ease with which it is prepared. In general, it has 

 proved very effective in destroying ticks, and is less likely than crude 

 petroleum or emulsions of the same to injure cattle when dipping has 

 to be done in hot weather. Some injury to the skin is, however, 

 likely to occur when the arsenical mixture is used, and this injury, 

 which will be so slight as to be scarcely noticeable if the cattle are prop- 

 erly handled, is hable to be serious if the cattle are driven any distance, 

 especially if allowed to run while being driven within a week after 

 treatment. The formula given below for making an arsenical dip is 

 the one most commonly used in this country : — 



Sodium carbonate (sal soda) 24 lb. 



Arsenic trioxid (white arsenic) 8 lb. 



Pine tar 1 gal. 



Sufficient water to make 500 gallons. 



If a stronger arsenical dip is desired, ten pounds of arsenic may be 

 used in place of eight pounds, but in general the stronger solution 

 should not be used. In warm weather particularly it is not advisable 

 to use a solution stronger than that given in the above formula, if the 

 animals are to be treated every two weeks. 



In preparing the dip, a large caldron or galvanized tank is required 

 for heating the water in which to dissolve the chemicals. Thirty or 

 forty gallons of water should be placed in the caldron or tank and 



