The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1917-09-15

ment Of AgricUlture)
The sheep tick is a widely prevalent
parasite which is spreading rapidly,
especially among the close-herded
range flocks. It irritates the sheep
which it infests. making them so rest
less that they do not feed well. This
results in retarding the wool growth
and Indirectly the wool is sometimes
injured by the animals scratching and
rubbing themselves. A loss of approx
imately % cents a head for lambs and
20 cents a head for ewes is consid-
cred a conservative estimate for the
damage done to infested f1ocks.
Control by Dipping.
Sheep ticks can readily be controlled
by the use Of one of q number of
dipping solutions. These are described
in detail in a new publication of the
United States department OF agricul-
ture, Farmers Bulletin 798. A num-
Der of solutions, such as coal-tar ere
osote and nicotine, may be purchased
ready-prepared. The Iime-sulphur-ar-
senic dip can be made at home, but
it is difficult to prepare and it must
always be remembered that it is poi
sonOus. The proper precautions,
therefore, invariably must be taken
in handling and using it. The meth
DDS of making and applying this pre-
paration are described in the bulletin
already mentioned. Another disad-
vantage which it possesses is the fact
that there is no way of testing, as in
the case of some Of the other prepare
lions, the strength of the solution in
the field. 1t is well known that all the
solutions used for dipping sheep de-
teriOrate with use and may, If not test
ed, frequently become SO weak that
the sheep to pass through will receive
little or no benefit.
There should be two clippings at an
interval of 81 days. The first may be
relied upon to kill all the mature in
sects on the sheep, but It may not
reach those which are in what is
known as the pupal stage, in which
they are protected by q hard brown
shell. In this shell the tick remains
for from 10 to a days, when it
emerges as a mature insect.
Cost Of Dipping.
Although the sheep tick is most
prevalent in the western range states,
where sheep are herded in large
f1ocks, it is known to occur practical
~ everywhere where sheep are Kept.
It is difficult to keep sheep infested
with this parasite in a thrifty condi-
ton, and the most economical and eff
fcient method of dealing with the
problem is the dip. The cost of dip
ping will vary, of course, with local
onditions-labor, fuel and the neces-
sary materials for the watts and the
dipping solution being the most i'm
portant items. In the western range
states it is estimated that the cost
should run from 2 to 31z cents a
head for each dipping. Where only a
few head of sheep are kept. the farm
er need not construct a vat, but may
make use of either the portable gal
vanized iron vat or of a canvas dip
ping bag. If he expects to continue
permanently in the sheep industry,
however, or if there is a large flock
to handle, a permanent dipping plant
is really a necessity. The construc-
ton of such 8 plant is discussed in
Bulletin 79S. This bulletin also calls
attention to the fact that some set
back to the sheep must be expected as
the immediate result Of dipping, which
may take the form Of q temporary
shrinkage in weight or constitutional
disturbances. Such injury, however,
is more likely to result from improper
methods of dipping and handling than
from the direct effects OF the treat
ment. Rough handling OF sheep, dip
ping the flock before they have rested
and cooled on after long. hard drive,