Sheep Branding Paints. 



INTRODUCTION. 



A continual demand for reliable information concerning 

 sheep branding fluids called for an investigation, the results 

 of which follow. Range conditions in this state are exceed- 

 ingly severe upon paint brands, and experience teaches that 

 but few will last the season. 



A perfect branding fluid will have two main character- 

 istics, as follows : First, the brand will be permanent enough 

 to withstand range conditions for one year and show with 

 reasonable plainness at the end of that time. Second, its com- 

 position will be such that it can be completely removed by 

 ordinary scouring solutions. These conditions are hard to 

 obtain, but this is the problem of the manufacturer. Under 

 range conditions a permanent brand is an absolute necessity, 

 not only in determining the ownership of stray animals, but 

 also in the customary breeding operations. An indistinct brand 

 ofttimes means much trouble and loss. It is also imperative 

 that the brand be of such material that it will scour readily. 

 Every drop of paint placed upon wool must be removed before 

 the wool can be manufactured into cloth. If the brand will 

 not scour out by the usual methods, then hand labor must be 

 employed to go over every fleece and clip off the brands. 

 This not only means the loss of the wool clipped off, but it 

 means a considerable amount of money expended for labor, 

 all of which eventually comes out of the pockets of the wool 

 grower. 



In some localities a brand placed upon the ear, nose or 

 forehead where it would not injure the wool would be suf- 

 ficient. In fact, in many cases the entire absence of a brand 

 would serve as the best identification mark. It is the duty 

 of the wool grower to use as little paint as possible, placed 

 where it will be the least injurious to the fleece. When the 

 sheepmen appreciate the decreased price of wool due to ex- 

 travagant use of paint they will exercise more care in the 

 selection and application of their brands. 



