1910.] Prevention of Damage to Hides, etc. 625 



facturing purposes does not undergo the process of sorting,, 

 and thus it frequently happens that, in spite of efforts to 

 remove tar-marks, some of the tar passes into the finished 

 goods, thereby causing considerable damage and loss. Even 

 when the wool is being sorted it is very difficult entirely to 

 eliminate the tar. 



"As tar is not dissolved in the ordinary processes of wool- 

 washing, flockmasters should endeavour, in cases where its 

 use cannot be avoided, to improve the methods of applying it, 

 either by making use of smaller marks or by adopting means 

 to prevent the tar from running. If practicable, marking on 

 the ear or face is much to be preferred." 



A serious matter in this connection is the risk that the iron 

 and the tar with which the branding is done may be made too 

 hot, and penetrate through the wool to the skin, causing 

 severe suffering to the sheep, and at the same time destroying 

 the value of the skin for tanning purposes. The inquiries 

 which the Board have made lead them to believe that this 

 only occurs in a limited number of cases through gross care- 

 lessness, but it is a point which farmers would do well to bear 

 in mind. 



In some districts of Scotland sheep are sometimes branded 

 with a hot iron across the nose or cheek. This is a cruel 

 practice which should be discontinued. 



Efforts have been made to find a dye or other mixture 

 which could be used in place of tar, but no satisfactory sub- 

 stitute, other than paint, has so far been discovered. 



Injury to the Wool and Skins of Sheep by Various Para- 

 sites. — The injury due to the parasites causing sheep-scab is 

 well known. In their endeavour to allay the irritation caused 

 by the mite, the sheep constantly bite or rub the affected part, 

 which results in an injury to the skin, followed by an exuda- 

 tion of serum and the formation of crusts or scabs. The wool 

 is shed, and the fleece becomes broken and tufted or matted; 

 together, giving the animal a ragged appearance. With a 

 view to the eradication of this disease the Board have made 

 sheep-dipping compulsory, and with the earnest co-operation 

 of all concerned there is reason to hope that their efforts will 

 be successful in the course of a few years. 



