28 BULLETIN 20, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 
breeders but also by the leading breed associations. The association 
labels have stamped upon them the abbreviation of the breed associa- 
tion and the registry number. 
The tag should be placed in the lower part of the ear, fairly close to 
the head, with the number on the inside. The label should not be 
too loose or it is more likely to be torn out. Neither should it be too 
tight or it may damage the ear. Sometimes the ears become sore 
from ‘inserting the labels, especially if the operation is carelessly 
performed. Occasional attention should be given the lambs after 
Fia. 8.—Methods of marking sheep: a, Ear label; 6, notching; c, tattooing. 
inserting the labels to insure their ears healing properly. The one 
objection to ear labels is that they may be torn out. The ear label 
is illustrated in figure 8, a, and the punch for inserting it in figure 9. 
The latter may also be used for notching. 
Notching.—N otching is a good way to mark sheep, and it is quite 
frequently used. Notches upon certain parts of the ears indicate 
certain numbers, the sum of the numbers represented by the notches 
being the number of the sheep. By aseries of notches any numbers 
desired for the farm flock can be obtained. The system is shown in 
figure 8, 6. Numbers up in 
the hundreds involve a 
rather complicated system, 
but these are not usually 
necessary on the farm. To 
avoid a complex system, 
each crop of lambs may be 
numbered from 1 upward. 
In this way it will not generally be necessary to notch higher than 
100. This system is sometimes used as a check for ear tags in case 
the latter become torn out. 
Tattoong.—Tattooing on the inside of the ear is a satisfactory 
way of marking sheep, especially those having light-colored ears 
(see fig. 8,c). Special tattooimg instruments are upon the market for — 
this purpose having adjustable numbers and letters, with which a 
combination containing three or four of either or both can be secured. 
This is another good method of checking on the ear label. India ink, 
both stick and liquid, special tattooing oil, and indigo can be used for. 
Fic. 9.—Punch used for inserting ear labels. Can also be 
used for notching. 
