2I 
A WARNING AGAINST 
HARD WATER FOR DIPPING 
“When soft water is used for making up a dip the 
mixture has greater wetting power than when some of 
the hard watersare used, Ifthe wetting power of a mixed 
dip is low the fluid has a tendency to form small bead-like 
drops all over the wool instead of uniformly covering the 
entire surface. If we increase the wetting power of such 
a mixture we make it more efficient because we ensure 
the more even distribution of the active principle and the 
maximum possible wetting for all parts of the animal that 
are covered by the liquid. Even good dips may become 
ineffective if they are made up with alkali water, 
Before any coal-tar, creosote, cresol, or carbolic dip is 
mixed with hard or alkali (brak) water, a test should be 
made to see whether such admixture results in a perman- 
ently uniform fluid ; or whether a separation between the 
liquids occurs, something like when oil and water are 
shaken up and left to stand for a short while; or else, 
whether a soft semi-solid, or curdy precipitate or sediment 
settles down. Such a test may be carried out by placing 
a measured quantity of dip in a clean bottle or jar of clear 
glass and adding to this, mixing thoroughly meanwhile, 
approximately the same proportion of water (preferably 
warm) that would be added to the dip in nl practice. 
If after standing for one hour the mixture is no longer 
uniform, but separates out in two layers—if, for instance, 
an oily layer or a mass of globules appears either on the 
surface or at the bottom of the mixture, that kind of water 
should be regarded as unfit for making up the dip, at all 
events without further treatment. 
In some cases, however, it is impossible to get any 
other than permanently hard waters for making up dips. 
It is then necessary to “break” the water by adding to it 
carbonate of soda in the proportion of from 1 to 4 pounds 
of dry carbonate of soda or 23 to то lbs. of washing soda 
per тоо {о of water, according to the hardness of the 
latter. In bad cases, however, it would be desirable to 
have the water analysed and obtain professional advice on 
the best manner of correcting the water so as to render it 
suitable for preparation of dipping mixtures.” 
From the Fournal of the Department of Agriculture 
South Africa. 1/4/20. f Ag А 
