CAHE AND MANAGEMENT OF SHEEP 



423 



often perish as a result of parasites. Sheep profit by a change 

 of pasture even if, so far as the pasture is concerned, the 

 change is from a good to a poor one. 



DIPPING SHEEP 



Dipping the sheep is an essential part of sheep growing. 

 No farmer should attempt to raise sheep without planning to 

 dip the sheep, not only upon their arrival at the farm, but 

 twice annually thereafter. Fortunately the process is very 

 simple as well as inexpensive. 



Importance of dipping. — There are two essential reasons why 

 all sheep should be dipped: first, to free them of ticks; and 

 second, to free them of scab 

 germs. It is absolutely impossi- 

 ble for lambs infected with ticks 

 or other parasites to thrive. A 

 good dip cleanses the skin, in- 

 creases the quantity and im- 

 proves the quality of the wool. 

 From this it is apparent that all 

 sheep, whether foundation stock 

 or lambs intended for fattening, 

 should be dipped immediately 

 upon their arrival on the farm. 



Sheep ticks can be entirely 

 overcome by dipping. Sheep 



ticks inhabit no other farm animals, and once eradicated, there 

 is no possible chance of their reappearing unless brought to the 

 flock on infested sheep, or carried in some manner, as in the 

 clothing of shearers, from an infested flock. 



Sheep scab can likewise be prevented by dipping. This scab 

 is caused by a minute parasite, too small to be seen by the naked 

 eye, which irritates the skin, causing a watery exudate. This 

 exudate forms a crust beneath which the scab mite burrows, 



Fig. 139. — Hobned Dorset Ewe. 

 Owned by Heart's Delight Farm. 



