33 
In commenting on the foregoing Paper, a thoroughly practical 
writer in. the West Cumberland Times makes the following 
observations:— 
“OUR SHEEP SUPPLY. 
“In remarking a fortnight ago on the Agricultural position, 
we adduced some of the causes which appear to have a 
tendency to limit the farmer’s prosperity. The Aspatria 
Agricultural Society has now given us occasion to return to 
the subject, in particular reference to the decimation of our 
sheep flocks, owing chiefly to fluke in the liver or rot. During 
the past seven years there has been a decrease in the white 
stocks of the country to the tune of 19 per cent.; in the year 
ending June 4th, 1881, the decrease was considerably over two 
millions, and according to the evidence of Mr. Finlay Dun, 
the numbers that were victims to the fell malady in qustion, 
during the two preceding years, were almost, if not quite, as 
great. Now, it must be acknowledged that these losses will 
not only be felt by the farmers, who immediately sustain 
them, but also by the community at large as meat-consumers. 
It was, therefore, with the greatest satisfaction that we were 
able last week to publish a paper on Rot in Sheep, read at a 
meeting of the Aspatria Society, by Mr. Henry Thompson, 
V.S. The author both describes minutely the causes of the 
complaint, and also the transformations of the liver fluke 
through all its stages, until it finally reaches its natural 
habitat, the bile-ducts of the liver. He also gives some start¬ 
ling and important facts relative to its treatment, and in the 
peroration of his report strongly advises the use of salt as a 
c 
