WET SHEEP-SHEARING.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXIX, Issue 7828, 22 June 1909, Page 1

WET SHEEP-SHEARING.

AN AUSTRALIAN AGREEMENT.

There has been a great deal of' disputation in Australian shearing sheds over the" question, of "wet sheep." Last season two doctors were' engaged in making tests and enquiries? yjsiting ten districts and-seventy-five sheds, where 1300 shearers were ■ employed. Their reports wore submitted ; to. a scientific committee,^ who made a comprehensive analysis of the - statements, and submitted the following recommendations : "1. That sheep be allowed 24 hours to dry after exposure to rain or mist after being ahedded iof: shearing;; "2. That sheep,,if driven;:in:B»t, be given three hours in the yards to cool down before being ' shedded, and that during that time they be not herded more closely than is "3. That in all cases where there has been recent wetting, and -also in any case of dispute as to the condition of the shee^, samples of the wool be tested for humidity before shearing. "4. That such tests.be made by the manager or his deputy in the presence of two representatives of the shearers. "o. That sample,? be taken from the shoulder. : ; "6. That the calcium carbide determinator be employed in all such tests, but that the exact specification for a standard instrument be postponed till : further investigation has been made in the laboratory by a competent; authority. . ! .:. , . "7. That shearing be postponed (for 24 hours in any. case' where the moisture indicated by the determinator exceeds 8 per cent in the case of merinos or 10 per cent in the case of crossbreds (first crosses). . "8. That efficient free ventilation be maintained in all shearing sheds, especially in hot weather. r "9. That an accurate wet-bulb thermometer be so placed"'in', each shed (put of direct draught) as to .test ; as fairly as possible the atmosphere surrounding ijhe shearers at work, and that work be stopped if and so long as the reading of this instrument exceeds 76 degrees F. ■ ; • ■. ■■;..-■ "10. That in eyei7 Shed buckets be provided, containing ; water and soft soap, with the addition of some nonpoisonous sheep-dip (at-the rate of one tablespoonful 'to the pint),- to; enable the men to properly cleanse'their hands and arms as a precaution -against yolk boils. "11. That each shearer provide himself with' a clean* damp towel, or suitable substitute, to'remove sweat from his brow while at work, as a precaution against sore eyes. ; "12. That every hut be provided with a supply bfi boric acid lotion (onefifth ,of an ounce to the pint), for use as an eye-wash by men troubled with sore eyes. : "13. That every effort should be; made by the joint conference ;to impress upon the owners and managers of stations and on all shearers the necessity for strict attention^;, to', those health conditions discussed in "the appendix, especially with _ regard to the cleanliness and ventilation of sleeping quarters, .ventilation of, bedding, suitable clothing of the men,; arid regular changing of clothes after the day s work." • . Attached to tho advisory. committee s report was an interesting memorandum on the medical aspects of the question of wet-wool shearing. . At a conference of employers and shearers the report was adopted, and steps advised for the preparation oi instruments, directions and rules.