SHEEP OX XEW ENGLAND FARMS. 23 



bulletin referred to, while the respective advantages of early and 

 late lambing will be discussed later. 



Dipping the sheep, docking and castrating the lambs, etc., are 

 also fully discussed in Farmers' Bulletin 840, pages 14 to 18. Regu- 

 larity of practice in these regards is an essential factor bearing upon 

 success with sheep. 



ADVERSE FACTORS. 



DISEASES. 



Of the difficulties encountered in sheep raising in New England 

 it is believed that the disease factor is the most important. While 

 but little disease occurred during the year the study was made, taking 

 the sheep-raising sections of Xew England as a whole, year in and 

 year out. it is known that much loss results through disease. Some 

 growers have but little trouble in this respect, especially those who 

 are careful about selection, feed well, provide sanitary quarters, and 

 keep their flocks in the prime of condition throughout the season, 

 while others report large losses, at times as high as 50 per cent of 

 their entire flocks. (Several such instances were reported during 

 the spring of 1917.) 



It is not the purpose of this bulletin to tell how to treat the various 

 diseases to which sheep are subject, but attention is called to those 

 which have most frequently to be contended with, and anyone keeping 

 sheep is advised to acquaint himself with the symptoms and treat- 

 ment of each. It is believed that much loss can thus be averted. 



Stomach worms, 1 grub in the head, nodular disease of the intes- 

 tines, and indigestion are the troubles most frequently reported in 

 Xew England and seem to be the ones to which most loss, is due. 

 Skin diseases and ticks 2 are also important and give considerable 

 trouble unless regular dipping is practiced. 



Much complaint is heard of flocks running out or degenerating, 

 and many breeders say that they have to sell out and start their 

 flocks anew at intervals of every 8 or 10 years. It is believed that 

 a great deal of the running out of flocks is due as much to worm 

 trouble, which is not recognized as such in many cases, as to any- 

 thing else. A change of pasture at intervals of every 10 days or 

 two weeks is recommended as a safeguard against worm trouble, 

 though this is not always practicable as Xew England pastures are 

 located. It is likely that much more could be done in combating this 

 disease by making more extensive use of aftermaths and forage crops 



1 Farmers' Bulletin 840, p. 20: also Bureau of Animal Industry circular (Zoological 

 Division) entitled " How to prepare and administer the bluestone or copper sulphate 

 dosage in the treatment for stomach worms." 



2 " Sheep scab " is fully discussed in Farmers' Bulletin 713 and the " Sheep tick " in 

 Farmers' Bulletin 798, either of which is obtainable upon request from the Department of 

 Agriculture. 



