SHEEP-RAISING i.\ URITISH COLUMBIA. 39 



"(4.) Tags, dung-locks, or stainnl pieces should never be included with the 

 fleeces, but always packed separately if wool is adhering to them. 



"(5.) All black or grey fleeces should be packed by themselves. 



"(0.) Lamb fleeces, possessing unusual quality and length, may well be kept 

 apart from the others and offered for sale as a distinct class. 



"(7.) The wool should be absolutely dry at shearing and should never, sub- 

 sequently, be permitted to become wet. 



"(8.) Tub-washing should not be practised. If washing is followed at all, let 

 it be done on the sheep's back, and at the time of shearing keep the washed separate 

 from the unwashed." 



CO-OPERATIVE MARKETING OF WOOL. 



Until recent years Canadian wool was looked upon with indifference by the 

 Canadian manufacturer, largely owing to the unsatisfactory manner in which it was 

 offered for sale. The fact that it was not in any way prepared for market necessi- 

 tated the grading-out of the fleeces upon arrival at the factory, and the expending 

 of additional time and labour upon the raw article before it was in a fit condition 

 for manufacturing purposes. The necessary expense incurred by this operation was 

 taken into consideration by the prospective purchaser, and in consequence a lower 

 price was obtained by the wool-grower for his product. Seeing the advisability of 

 a change in marketing conditions and with the object in view of placing Canadian 

 wools on an equal footing with that of other countries, the Dominion Government 

 undertook the preparation of wool for market through the medium of the Sheep 

 Division of the Live Stock Branch. Officers were sent out on educational work, 

 and practical wool-graders were engaged to grade the wool at centralized points 

 throughout the Dominion. Following this educational campaign, the wool-growers 

 of Canada organized the Canadian Co-operative Wool-growers, Limited, for the 

 purpose of marketing their wool co-operatively, and this year this organization 

 expects to handle approximately 5,000,000 Ib. of wool, or one-third of the entire 

 wool-clip of Canada. More than half of the total sales to date have been placed with 

 the Canadian trade, which would tend to show the favourable attitude in which the 

 home-grown product is now regarded by the Canadian manufacturer. A warehouse 

 has recently been erected at Weston, Ontario, for the purpose of centralizing the 

 grading and providing accommodation for the storage of the wool received by the 

 association. A marked improvement has been noticed in the condition of the wool 

 forwarded to the warehouse. The quality of Canadian wool compares very 

 favourably with that of any other country. The larger portion of the Canadian wool- 

 clip is of the combing variety, being suitable for the manufacture of worsteds, and 

 consequently of greater commercial value than the shorter wools, which are used 

 in the construction of ordinary woollen clothing, underwear, and socks. The selling 

 of wool co-operatively and on a graded basis is the most satisfactory manner in which 

 to handle this product, as both the buyer and seller are benefited ; the former by the 

 fact that he is assured of the condition of the article for sale, and the latter in that 

 he is paid according to grade, which ought to be an inducement to improve the 

 condition of the wool which he is marketing. 



DIPPING FOR TICKS. 



Sheep should be dipped at least once every year, and twice if necessary. Soon 

 after shearing is the usual time to give the main dipping, but fall dipping is usually 

 needed. After shearing, most of the ticks are on the lambs and will hinder their 

 growth. The earlier it can be done, with the weather fairly warm, the better. The 

 wool will be short, and so the dip will be effective. If lambs are loss than 3 

 weeks old, however, there is danger of the ewes disowning their lambs on account 

 of the dip destroying the scent by which the lamb is recognized. 



If any ticks are present the flock should be dipped in the fall, so that the sheep 

 are not worried all winter by the vermin. It is difficult to see why sheep-owners 

 neglect fall dipping, but it is probably because the wool is long and the ticks are 

 not noticed in the fall. In case winter has set in before the dipping is done, it is 



