272 THE DOMESTIC SHEEP. 



large enough to hold about thirty sheep, so they can stand, 

 and the surplus ooze drip off and be returned to the dipping 

 vat. These draining pens will be found quite an economy 

 when large flecks 'are handled. The end of the tank 

 nearest the draining pens should have considerable slope, 

 and cleats be nailed across for the sheep to walk up on. 



A CHEAP, PORTABLE DIPPING VAT. 



The accompanying cut shows a handy and inexpensive 

 dipping vat, which can be constructed with the appliances on 

 most every farm. It is made of one and a quarter inch 



tongued and grooved boards, put together at the joints with 

 pitch, and is furnished with handles, by which it can be 

 moved from place to place. It may be six feet long, three 

 feet wide and three feet deep. The sloping ends have cleats 

 nailed across them on the inside, by which the sheep are as- 

 sisted to get out of the vat, upon a draining floor placed to 

 receive them. 



SMALL AND LARGE TANKS USED ON THE RANGE. 



A Utah wool grower gives the following excellent plan 

 for both hand and swimming tanks: 



For a herd of 2,500 head I would recommend the small 

 tanks as cheaper, easier made, and having less dip remaining 

 after the herd is dipped, and easier cleaned out during the 

 process of dipping as more or less mud will accumulate in 

 the bottom which must be cleaned out every day or two. 



The annexed diagram explains itself. 



"A," platform of boards nailed to 2x4 inch scantling 

 which are laid on the ground. 



"B," dipping tank, 30 inches deep, 48 inches long, 24 

 inches top measurement, 10 inches on bottom. 



"C," sloping platform, which drains into tank "D." 



These are placed in the shearing pen, or in a pen contigu- 

 ous (at the option of the shepherd), the sheep is grasped by 



