West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1892-05-12
NOTES FOR FARMERS.
From the West Virginia Axricul.
tural Experiment station.
Special Correspondence Of the Argus.

and the attention OF farmers is
called to tho desirability ofimprov-
ing their flocks, especially il they
arc raising sheep for wool. In
order to make this improvement, il
is desirable to Gull from tho flock
all sheep falling below certain
grade and weight OF fleece adopted
as a standard by the farmer. Sheep
shearing time is the best season OF
the year for determining which ami
mails should be disposed Of, and
which kept for breeding purposes.
The flock can also be readily graded
with reference to its physical con
dition, and all animals Indicating
signs OF weakness or Of being run
down or diseased should be separa-
ted from the larger flock, and
receive special attention from the
farmer until they can be built up
to their normal condition. The
farmer, by devoting special care to
his flock at this time, and marking
the animals falling below the stan
dard so that he may readily sepa-
rate them later, If ho desires, can
very soon improve the quality and
quantity of wool produced upon his
farm, especially should he dispose
of the sheep falling below the pro-
per standard, and secure others OF
proper standard to take their place.
SHEEP PARASITES AND DISEASES.
Sheep shearing time IS the best
for treating the sheep for scab, lice,
ticks and foot-rot. Every sheep
that is affected with scab, or any of
these pests, should receive vigorous
and thorough treatment at this
time. One Of the best remedies for
scah, lice and ticks is the infusion
Of tobacco leaves made 10y sleeping
about twenty pounds Of tobacco
leaves in twenty-five gallons of
water, and making this solution up
to three barrels. To this may be
added six pounds of concentrated
lye, and thrce-quarters Of pine tar.
The lyc should be dissolved i'm an
other vessel in ten gallons of boiling
water. The tar is then added and
the whole brought to boiling. Six
pounds OF unslacked lime may also
be added to this mixture. Stir
vigorously and then mix with the
tobacco wash. AS soon as the
diseased sheep is sheared, it should
be plunged into this liquid, and
the liquid rubbed in thoroughly to
the skin of the animal. This wash
should be kept at temperature of
about 100 degrees Fahr., or warm
enough to be about comfortable to
the hands. II the farmer does not
care to dip the animal into this
solution, it can be applied with a
sponge by laying it upon board,
and sponging the animal all over
with it. One thorough treatment
OF the sheep with this wash will
generally rid them at this season Of
the year OF scab, lice and ticks.
FooT-RoT.
II foot-rot should be in the flock,
the hoofs should be thoroughly
pared and trimmed close, and the
proper remedy thoroughly applied
for this disease. Most farmers
know Of satisfactory remedies for
the disease. Nitric acid, sulphuric
acid, burnt alum, butter Of a1timo.
ny, powder blue vitrial, and other
remedies have been successfully
applied. One OF the best and
cheapest is chloride OF lime or
bleaching salt, which should be
applied by sticking the animals
foot into the powder or paste and
allowing as much as will cling to
the foot TO remain between the toes
and around the hoof. Take time
now to thoroughly look after the
sheep, and be sure that all CT them
are carefully inspected.
THE DISEASES or SHEEP.
II is apparent, from information
received at this Station, from many
sections Of the State, that the
diseases and parasites Of sheep are
upon the increase. and it is very
desirable that all flock owners
should give this subject their care
Iul attention at this time OF the
year. BY go doing, many thou
sands Of dollars Will be saved to the
State during the next year, and the
trouble checked which bids fair 10