The farmer and mechanic., 1915-07-27
CONTROLLING A SHEEP PEST
Preventing the Attacks Of Flies
Which Produce MaggOts In Sheep
Easy Of Accomplishment.
BY NJ. G.. MILLER.

There exists a good deal Of differ
ence in opinion as to the particular
"ny" responsible for the 'maggotIng
Of sheep. 1t is popularity supposed
fly or flesh fly" The exact kind of
fly is, however, of more interest to
the entomologist than to the sheep
man, and whatever it's name and va
riety, we know at least sometnl-e
about the circumstances which the at
tack occurs.
We know something, too about the
method Of preventing attack II we
could always persuade the farmers TO
put it into practice, and also of good
many agents that will completely de-
stroy the maggot.
Two things that particularly favor
the "f1y" attacks that cause such
trouble, are cuts and other injuries
received in shearing and allowing the
sheep and especially the lambs, to get
dirty behind. Filth seems to form
congenial habitat for the maggots,
and damp, fetid patch of wool will
generally be found to be the place
where they are actually at work.
Thus, the rump and region of the tail
are parts very liable to become mag
goted. In addition to wounds or cuts
and a soiled condition OF the fleece,
the length Of wool and it's profuse Sc
cretion may attract the fly, and leads
to a deposit Of their eggs.
Powdering the fleece used to be the
fayorite method Of prevention. but
dipping or sprinkling with fluid
preparation has largely superseded 1t
as being more economical as we'll as
more efficient.
Fly powders consist for the most
part Of mixtures Of sulphur, arsenic,
powdered hellebore, white lead, alum,
cinnabar of antimony, prepared chalk,
umber. American bole and whale oil.
In various combinations and proper
tions, and some old-fashioned far
mers still cling to the use of such
agents, but they are not nearly so ef-
fective as a reliable dip.
The poison" bOgy frightens some,
but properly prepared poisonous dips
are perfectly safe if the ordinary care
is used, which Of course includes rigid
adherence to specific directions franz
ed to ensure safety and efficiency.
In order that it may be lasting as
well as efficient, it seems almost nee
esSary that dip should be poisonous,
and such dip, by remaining in the
fleece, will, If employed in the early
part Of the season, confer immunity
from the fly attack to very great
extent, as well as prevent the devel-
opment Of the larvae
Carbolic dips and other preparations
OF coal tar, although quite equal to
killing any vermin which the sheep
may harbor, are certainly very evan
escent, and their odor, on which they
depend for deterring the fly, is
quickly dissipated. AS they are non
poisonous, and do not remain long ir
the wool, they do not poison the mag
gots.
Sprinkling is very much akin tC
dipping. the same solution being
used. 1t is practiced when It is mo-
convenient to dip each sheep separ
ately, and secures the Saturation O.
the fleece at parts most likely to bt
struck. For sprinkling, sheep are
penned together, and the solution ap
piled to the fleece by the means of
watering pot with hose attachment
but this plan is not to be compared
with individual dipping for efficiency
For the protection Of wounds, oxid'
Of zinc ointment, to which 10 drop
OF carbolic acid have been added t
each ounce, or a mixture of flower
of sulphur and carbolized oil is yer.
useful.
There are large number of agent
that will destroy the maggotS, bu
most Of them are of a poisonous char
acter. In some districts shepherd
carry with them what they call
"fly-stone." This is merely a good
sized lump Of perchloride Of mercur
or corrosive sublimate. The deadl
poison is generally wrapped in
piece of flannel and enclosed in
leather punch. On detecting a sh e
that is struck with a fly, the shep
herd pulls out his pouch, expectorate
on this "fy-stone" and rubs it anon
the maggots. There is no doubt abou
it's killing then, and as we have neve
known of any trouble due to it's U.s.
or accidents arising out of possessio
OF so much deadly poison by the sheI
herd. we cannot deprecate it's use O
that account, but the application
such powerful corrosive is unnece.
sarily severe on the sheep.
PerchlOride of mercury is a spler
did antiseptic probably the best "
have) and is calculated to keep tf
wound healthy after the destructio
of the maggots, but a milder form
equally destructive, and quite as eff
lent in respect to producing asepsis
popular dressing common