DIPPING SHEEP FOR TICKS AND SCABS 425 



admixed, so that with but little labor added when pre- 

 paring them for use they are ready to do the work claimed 

 for them. In nearly all instances considerable labor is in- 

 volved in compounding homemade dips and in preparing 

 them for use. These proprietary dips are very numerous 

 now, and the number is increasing. The publicity given 

 to them by the agricultural press, which in some instances 

 may be the result of patronage, encourages their use. 



The basic element in dips — All sheep dips have a 

 basic element; that is, one or more ingredients which 

 gives to them their efficacy and also the designation by 

 which they are known. This applies to both proprietary 

 and non-proprietary dips. The chief of these have the 

 following elements as their basis: (i) Tobacco and sul- 

 phur; (2) lime and sulphur; (3) coal tar; (4) carbolic 

 acid ; and (5) arsenic. 



The tobacco and sulphur dip stands high in favor, 

 not only in the estimation of the bureau of animal in- 

 dustry, but also in the estimation of many flockmasters 

 who have used it, both in the United States and in the 

 British colonies of the southern hemisphere, where it first 

 came into common use. The almost complete eradication 

 of sheep scab in South Australia and New South Wales 

 which at one time threatened the ruin of the sheep in- 

 dustry, is due almost entirely to its use. 



The dip is prepared as follows : For every 100 gallons 

 of dip required, use 21 pounds of tobacco leaves of good 

 quality and 16 pounds of flowers of sulphur. Soak the leaves 

 in cold or lukewarm water for 24 hours in a covered vessel. 

 Bring the water to near the boiling point for a moment 

 and then remove from the fire. If in the evening allow 

 the infusion to draw until morning, and in any event for 

 not less than an hour. Then strain the mass, using 

 pressure to obtain all the nicotine possible. Mix the flow- 

 ers of sulphur in water so as to make a thin paste and 

 pour the same into the dip, meantime stirring it slowly 

 to prevent the sulphur from settling, as it otherwise 



