SHEEP POISONED WITH PHOSPHORISED WHEAT.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2602, 23 July 1881, Page 2

SHEEP POISONED WITH PHOSPHORISED WHEAT.

The following letter, signed E. C. Austin, appears in the “Australasian”: — Sir, —Will you kindly allow me space in your valuable columns for a few lines ? I have lately been laying phosphorised wheat for the destruction of rabbits to a large extent, but now find it is not safe to lay it in the same paddock with sheep. I have already lost about 500, and quite that number seem yet to be affected. The poison acts upon the head chiefly. When opened it is found to be full of matter, and in the throat generally are three of four lumps, also full of matter. The head and jaws swell very much, and there is evident inability to swallow. Many sheep are killed quickly, others linger and seem to die of mere starvation. I have tried bleeding, and found it useless. Can any of your numerous readers —all of whom I would caution against laying phosphorised grain where sheep graze—suggest any remedy ? The numbers given above of the dead and effected sheep are from an original flock of 2,500 running adrift in a paddock. The grain was phosphorised according to Captain Raymond’s recipe, and laid in the proportion of about 1301 b or 1401 b 1 6 the square mile. Ketchowla, S.A., June 25.