HINTS TO SHEEP OWNERS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 6, Issue 283, 27 February 1862, Page 3

HINTS TO SHEEP OWNERS

— i 1 y» 1 We have been favoured with the following communication from Mr. Martin, Mount Sorrell Farm, No. 2 Line.—l have taken the trouble of giving my opinion respecting the cure and management of sheep, and hope it will give no offence to the owners of sheep. I have had a great deal of experience among sheep and cattle, both in the. management and the disease, and wish to inform the owners of sheep that I will place them in the proper way of curing the scab, and at the same time of destroying the troublesome annoyance of the sheep tick, which is a great discomfort and unhealthy pest amongst sheep. The dressing.l should apply, will destroy and prevent the scab, destroy the tick', purify the blood, cleanse the skin and invigorate the free growth of wool ; also promote the health of sheep. Where there • is only 41b. of wool shorne from one the owners will be able to shear 61bs. by the same process, The dressing must be applied as soon as the disease becomes visible, and at the first month in spring and autumn, until the fiock becomes in a healthy state and ' free from scab and ticks. This disease only at first; affects the skin with scabby eruption, and it must quickly be removed or else the system becomes infected, and if the health of the sheep is not promoted they lose the free growth of wool and the system becomes ruined. I have shorn sheep about Wanganui which have been in a bad unhealthy state. ; Their fleeces cut hard and dry, and are quite gummy aiid sticky, with a dry limey nature. This will show at once the unhealthy state of the system. The sheep always appears dull and heavy, no appetite; no free circulation of. blood, and always wandering.lf the sheep are in a healthy state they will appear lively and clean in their wool. The heat of ‘ blood and heat of body.; must have vent to ascend and evaporate ’'through the skin,, which keeps them thin, loose and supple, and;.causes the free growth of wool ; their hide and fleebe should always feel soft and pliablej' and greasy. : The looser the skin' is upon the sheep the more room the sheep has to thrive and do justice to itself and owner. I have seen sheep go for months without the least oare or attention, to cleanse them from the filth/arid dirth that is caused by their food scouring, them. The shears should often be applied to cleanse. ■ them from this unwholesume burden and