5 16 Eradication of Sheep Scab in Scotland, [dec, 



yield actually up to the average. Wales, on the other hand, 

 had an over-average yield in both classes of hay. 



The yield of hops proved to be the largest on record, sur- 

 passing by almost I J c wt. per acre the previous best recorded, 

 in 1899; it was no less than 65 per cent, above the preceding 

 ten years' average, and 140 per cent, above the abnormally low 

 yield of 1904. The total production, moreover, has only once 

 been surpassed, viz., in 1886, when, however, there were as much 

 as 70,000 acres under hops. The details regarding the produce 

 of hops in the different counties were given in an earlier number 

 of this Journal (October, p. 419). 



THE ERADICATION OF SHEEP SCAB IN 

 SCOTLAND. 



During the present year great interest has been aroused in the 

 question of the eradication of sheep scab, and it has been con- 

 sidered desirable to place on record a short account of the 

 methods adopted by the Board to deal with the disease in 

 the Highlands and islands of Scotland. 



On the 3o4i January, 1905, the policy which the Board pro- 

 posed to adopt was indicated in a circular letter* (A^ f ) sent 

 to all the local authorities in Great Britain. This communica- 

 tion, after briefly explaining the reasons for the Board's action, 

 and stating that they had determined to take energetic measures 

 with a view to the speedy eradication of sheep scab, drew atten- 

 tion to three Orders which had just been issued. 



The first of these (the Sheep Scab Order of 1905, No. 6879), 

 does not differ in principle from the previous Sheep Scab Order 

 which it revoked, but contains certain modifications, chiefly in 

 the direction of placing increased powers in the hands of inspec- 

 tors. The second Order [the Sheep Scab (Compulsory Dipping 

 Areas) Order of 1905, No. 6880] was framed with a view to the 

 adoption of special precautions in localities where sheep scab is 

 known or suspected to be prevalent, and aims at regulating the 

 movement of sheep out of areas to which its provisions may be 

 applied by subsequent order of the Board, and at securing that 

 at suitable periods all sheep within such areas shall be effectually 

 dipped, irrespective of the presence or otherwise of disease on 



* Journal, Feb., 1905, p. 658. 



