128 Sheep Management, Breeds and Judging. 



CAUSE OF MAGGOTS. 



Maggots on sheep are caused by blow-flies. Fe- 

 male sheep are more apt to have maggots than 

 male sheep, although males also occasionally be- 

 come infested. Sheep sometimes get filthy on their 

 bodies, especially at the rear, caused either by 

 their scouring, or in the case of females by the 

 spattering of the urine on the wool. The so-called 

 blow-fly comes along, feeds on this filth, and mean- 

 while lays eggs there. These eggs hatch, forming 

 tiny worm-like larvae, which grow fast, and bur- 

 row into the flesh of the sheep. In a couple of 

 days a large patch of full grown maggots are pres- 

 ent on the sheep, more eggs are laid and hatch, and 

 in the course of three or four days maggots are 

 there by the thousands. On account of the rapid 

 increase in number these maggots move forward 

 and spread over the body of the sheep, and after 

 six or seven days the sheep dies a lingering death. 



PREVENTION. 



In hot weather and fly time the conscientious 

 shepherd makes it a point to inspect his flock in 

 the pasture at least once a day. If he should notice 

 any filthy portions of wool on any meinber in the 

 flock he will quickly get a pair of shears and cut 

 them off. He also will get a solution of some coal 

 tar sheep dip, mixed in the proportions of one 



