268 THE DOMESTIC SHEEP 



unwholesome matter in the blood, by which diseases of 

 various kinds are sure to happen, and which give vast trou- 

 ble and anxiety to the shepherd, as well as inflict upon him 

 heavy losses. It is always best and cheapest to avoid 

 troubles of any and every kind, and this process of dipping 

 the sheep tends to avoid many difficulties, some uuthouglit 

 of by the owner of a flock. 



The one reserved dip above suggested is that sulphur and 

 lime mixture which has been so highly extolled and recom- 

 mended by some of the amateur shepherds, whose field of 

 labor is at Washington, the seat of our paternal and watch- 

 ful Government. This dip is one of the most injurious that 

 could have been suggested or invented. It will doubtless kill 

 the scab insect and the ticks, too, and most effectively, for 

 it will destroy the fleece and the sheep as well, and it is a 

 plain fact that where there are no sheep and no fleeces there 

 will be no parasites to annoy the shepherd. And this will 

 be the inevitable result of the use of this most offensive and 

 acrid stuff. 



Lime, we all know, is used by the wool pullers to loosen 

 the fiber from the sheep skins. It is one of the most effective 

 depilatories, and must be used with the utmost caution. By 

 its combination with sulphur it does not lose this destructive 

 action on the skin, and when used for a dip for sheep this 

 excessive caution is something impossible, except for some 

 professional veterinary to exercise during the use of the dan- 

 gerous stuff. Even then, were it the only thing in existence 

 for this use it would be open to the most serious objections 

 and would in many instances destroy flocks to which it 

 might be applied without due caution. 



The objections to this wholly injurious and unsafe dip 

 are increased in force by the fact that there are many 

 excellent preparations for dipping sheep that are safe, effect- 

 ive, and cheap; even better in all these respects than any 

 home made dip; such as that of tobacco and sulphur. And 

 these are obtainable on demand always of the same strength 

 and effectiveness, and most easily applied to their specinl 

 uses. We may mention just here, that for use when acciden- 

 tal infection of the flock by ticks may happen, that the use 

 of sour buttermilk poured along the back, and led down the 

 sides of the sheep by skillful use of the hands will rid the 



