DIPPING SHEEP FOR TICKS AND SCABS 433 



should be set in brick or stone frames with a fireplace 

 underneath. If tobacco and sulphur dip is used, there 

 should be two caldrons with covers. If lime and sul- 

 phur dip is used, one or more settling tubs may be neces- 

 sary. The boiled dip may be pumped into these and then 

 drawn ofif into the vats, excluding the sediment. (5) The 

 other requisites include : Graduating marks on the inside 

 of the vats and heating tanks to indicate the quantity of 

 the mixtures present, scales for weighing the ingredients, 

 should such weighing be necessary, a portable pump for 

 moving the liquid, and one or more thermometers to in- 

 dicate the temperature of the ooze, both in process of 

 preparation and prepared. 



When dipping a flock of ordinary size the dipping vat 

 may be permanent and stationary, or it may be movable, 

 as in the case of the manufactured metal tanks that may 

 be obtained by purchase. The materials used, when of 

 home construction, may consist of wood, brick or cement. 

 When made of wood, pine planks ijA to 2 inches thick, 

 and tongued and grooved, may be used. These are nailed 

 on the inside of a frame made of scantlings 2x4 inches or 

 larger. In such instances the joints are also pitched over. 

 When the flock does not exceed, say, 50 to 100 animals, a 

 small portable dipping vat may be used. Some portion of 

 the barn or sheds may be used as a catching pen for the 

 time being. The sheep may be lifted into the vat and 

 when dipped may be held for a short time at the top of 

 the incline to drip. This will do away with the necessity 

 for a draining yard, but this method is extremely slow. 

 The dripping may be hastened through the squeezing of 

 the wool by the attendants. 



Where the numbers exceed those stated, and where 

 the sheep are dipped once or twice a year, the plant 

 should be permanent. When dipping large flocks, the 

 following conveniences should be present : A vat of suit- 

 able dimensions, a drive or chute through which the sheep 

 are forced into the vat, a yard or its equivalent from 



