LICE ON SHEEP

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 37, 8 November 1920, Page 6

LICE ON SHEEP

A WARNING. It is to bo regretted that the info»tatiqn of sheep with, lico is on tho increnso in many parts of the Dominion, says the "Journal" of the Department of Agriculture. No doubt this is due to tho past war conditions, when farmers were seriously handicapped for want of lnbomr. Tho co-operation of farmers 13 earnestly solicited in an effort to materially reduco this pest, if not to oradicato it altogether. Instructions have been given that the relevant provisions of tho Stock Act are to be stringently enforced in tho future and that prosecutions will follow in every cusp where sheep infested by licei arc exposed for sale. Close watch will bo kept, as far as possible by stock inspectors upon saleyards for this purpose. It 'is trusted that Btockowners and dealers will take this timely warning, and also as regards the enforcement of that portion of the Act making compulsory the dipping of all longwool and crossBred sheep, whether for .sale or not, There is another species of lice besides that which inhabits tho body of the sheep; the former infest principally the legs and bare part 3of tho body. Tho Act applies equal!}' to them, and the treatment for their destruction is just tho same as for body-lice. It may bo here stated that, judging by the evidence of defendants in prosecution cases, it is quite evident sufficient care is commonly not taken regarding the strength of the dips,used. Oxidation, dilution, and other changes take place and, except in tho case of a freshly made-up dip wholly of new material, care should bo taken to test the strength of any existing_ solution before adding more. An ineffective dip is worse than useless; as it misleads the owner and is no sound defence if action is taken by the Department.