Care and Management of Sheep 249 
flock such as is kept on the average farm, a simple trough of wood, 
metal, or concrete, 16 inches wide at the top and 6 inches at the 
bottom, 4 feet deep, and 8 to 12 feet long, will prove ample. The 
vat must be narrow so the sheep cannot turn around ; must be 
deep so they can be plunged clear under and no spot escape the 
dip ; and the longer the vat, the quicker the dipping can be per- 
formed, as each animal should remain in the dip at least one 
minute. The end of the vat at which the sheep enter should be 
perpendicular, so that they may be made to jump into the dip and 
thus be completely submerged. At the other end, there should 
be a gradual incline up which the sheep can walk. 
402. How dips are used. — The dip must be hot. The best 
temperature is that which a man can endure with the bare arm. 
If the dip is too hot, it will scald ; if too cold, it will be less effective. 
The water may be heated in a large kettle and kept hot by throwing 
red-hot irons or heated stones into the tank. 
The best dip to use is some one of the coal-tar preparations, as 
Zenoleum, Naptholeum, Daytholeum, Milk Oil, and the like. 
These are fairly cheap, very effective, cleansing to the skin, heal- 
ing to diseased eyes and mouth, pleasant to use, and sure death 
to all forms of parasite life. The direction given on the cans in 
which the coal-tar comes is to use at a strength of one part of dip 
to 100 parts water. While this is strong enough to kill ticks, it 
is not sufficient to remove scab germs. When the sheep have first 
arrived or when dipping for scab, use one part dip to forty parts 
water. 
403. Frequency of dipping. — All sheep arriving at the farm 
should be dipped before they infect the lots. In addition to this 
the entire flock should be dipped at least once a year, better twice 
annually. One dipping should take place soon after shearing, as 
less dip:will be required. It should not, however, follow too closely 
after shearing. A pleasant day should be selected, and the sheep 
should be well protected until dry. It will take them several hours 
to dry out. At this time it should not take more than one quart 
