422 MANAGEMENT AND FEEDING OF SHEEP 



to remove the grounds of comparison, and the same may 

 be said also in regard to the greater relative cheapness of 

 dipping. Where sheep are produced in a large way, as 

 on the ranges, it would be virtually impossible to keep 

 them free from external parasites in the absence of dip- 

 ping. 



While dipping sheep will destroy maggots which 

 sometimes affect sheep and more especially Merinos, as at 

 the base of the horns in males and in filth that may 

 accumulate around the anus at certain seasons of the year, 

 these may be removed without the necessity for dipping 

 the whole flock. This is done by removing the wool from 

 the infected parts by shearing and then applying some 

 agent that will prove destructive to the maggots, as, for 

 instance, spirits of turpentine and sassafras oil. The 

 former should not be used on sheep much exposed to rain. 

 The latter is made by the commingling of sassafras oil 

 one part and alcohol four parts. 



A second object sought from dipping is to cleanse 

 the skin with a view to promote healthy action in the ex- 

 udations that tend to maintain good health and to pro- 

 mote growth in the wool. The cleansing effect of some of 

 the dips used, especially those with coal tar products as 

 a base, is very marked. The benefits resulting in the 

 greater thrift that follows will go far to offset the shrink- 

 age in weight and fleece that sometimes follows dipping, 



A third object sought is increased growth of wool. 

 Such increase comes mainly from the increased thrift con- 

 sequent upon dipping. Increase in thrift comes, first, 

 from relief from the irritation caused by the presence of 

 parasites, and, second, from the more healthful action of 

 the organs pertaining to the skin. Such increase may 

 be material. It may in time far more than compensate 

 for any loss that may come from a temporary shock given 

 to the system, such as may come from dipping under 

 weather conditions that may not be congenial. 



The two classes of sheep dips — Sheep dips are essen- 



