1906.] Preparation of Wool for Market. 



293 



former condition the following year after lambing. During the 

 second season's attack death is still more probable ; but should 

 the affected animal survive (not recover), it is drafted out of 

 the flock and sold. The lambs are said to remain unaffected, 

 although naturally smaller in growth than the rest through a 

 too early loss of the ewe's milk. Losses are estimated on 

 -affected farms from about 3 per cent, to 10 per cent. 



The disease appears to be that of parasitic gastritis. One 

 animal, stated to be a typical case and to have become affected 

 the second time, was examined before being killed. The animal 

 was extremely weak, showed two clippings of wool, mucous 

 membranes blanched, temperature lOjS ; abdomen dropsical, 

 respirations irregular and accelerated ; the animal fell down in 

 a state of collapse on being handled for examination. The 

 j)ost-i]iortein examination proved that the cause of this sheep's 

 illness was parasitic gastritis, and it may be presumed that the 

 same cause gives rise to a varying annual loss of sheep in this 

 district, but further post-mortem examinations and investigations 

 would be necessary before arriving at a definite conclusion, as 

 possibly other causes may be at work. 



The presence of sick animals on the pastures from yeai to year 

 tends to spread the disease, and precautions should be taken to 

 move affected animals into a special field or fold on the first 

 indication of symptoms of attack. A piece of land should be 

 fenced for this purpose, and dressed with salt at the rate of | ton 

 to the acre annually. 



It may also be useful to treat the affected sheep with small 

 doses of sulphate of iron, salt, and gentian, administered in a 

 little dry food. One ounce of iron, i oz. of salt, and 2 oz. of 

 •gentian would be sufficient for twenty sheep. 



At the Sixth International Conference of Sheep Breeders, held 



at Derby on June 26th last, Mr. S. B. Rollings read a paper on 



"The Preparation of Wool for Market," 



Preparation {xom which some extracts may be given- 



of Wool , ^ . 



for Market. In commencmg Mr. Holhngs drew attention 



to the increased values now obtaining for 



wool, and said that there was on every hand an incentive for all 



rsheep breeders to look at their growing fleeces with feelings of 



