Dipping—Points to Remember.

King Country Chronicle, Volume II, Issue 96, 21 August 1908, Page 3

Dipping—Points to Remember.

1. The best time for dipping is: Merinos, within a month of shearing; and for cross-breds, within six weeks to three.months after shearing. 2. Sheep should never be overheated, excited, or thirsty, at dipping, nor overdriven before \or after. The longer fleece the more important is the warning. - 3. Mix the powder (over night if possible) strictly according to directions, and of this is done, there will be no lumps, no scum, and no trouble. Measure water accurately, don't guess it. ' ■ ' ' 4. Agitate the bath from top to bottom, and from end to end at frequent internals, especially after every stoppage of operations. The motion of the sheep will not keep the liquid stirred from the bottom. 5. Never hurry, for unless the dip reaches the skin where the insects lie, and these are submerged long enough to compel them to absorb it, little good will result. Increased strength is no equivalent for insufficient immersion. 6. Let the sheep drain thoroughly, and whatever dip is used, it is necessary if the weather is very hot, to shade the draining pens. 7. If rain comes on before the sheep are dry, keep them off pasture, or from anything they can eat, and remember that this wetting will weaken the effect of any dip. 8. If the night after dipping is cold, keep the sheep penned in close contact. 9. Rams should always be dipped separately, from ewes, and kept apart until well drained.