LETTER TO THE EDITOR.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 6, Issue 316, 6 November 1862, Page 3

LETTER TO THE EDITOR.

November 4, 1862. Sir,— Perhaps you would be kind enough to insert tlie following note. When on my tour.through the flocks on the west side of the Wanganui river, my attention has been arrested by the appearance of what I took to he scab, the wool rising in small tufts over the sides and back, the animal biting itself, and tearing off the wool in a most furious maunor. On examination, 1 found small, hard, salient points or pustules of a'green.and yellowish colour, from which I then and there concluded that it was the'scab, and. would have gone almost any length to prove it. Four or five weeks having elapsed, 1 visited rlie same flock, and to my astonishment found the sheep not so like being scabby as when 1 previously saw them. Having examined thsm the second time, I found the pustules were not united and become a large patch of crust or scab ; but were smaller, with a small concrete on the top—having almost disappeared, and the wool grow, ing as, before. I could not see any distinction between this appearance (whether as regards colour or the hardness of the pustules) and the ap] learance of common scab ; and 1 am therefore at a loss to say what it may he. 1 have not met with it in flocks that had gone through a dipping for scab. It seems to be more prevalent in spring, and in good and healthy-con-ditioned flocks. By inserting the above you will much oblige, Yours, &c. G-. McGregor, Sheep-Inspector.