TO SAVE SHEEP.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 160, 10 July 1933, Page 5

TO SAVE SHEEP.

MILLIONS OF SNAILS KILLED. The killing of millions of snails in the southern, south-western and western portions of New South Wales is stamping out the black disease in sheep which has caused graziers heavy losses in the past 15 years. Losses in some areas were as high as 15 per cent of the sheep, but in one property, where snails were poisoned systematically last year, the losses from black disease fell to zero, said the Chief Veterinary Surgeon.

On one property of 4000 acres, carrying 4000 sheep and a number of cattle, a systematic campaign of enail destruction was undertaken. This involved'the treatment with bluestono of all the creeks and water-holee in the property, as well as the heads of the- creeks, which were in some cases miles away from the property. About 7cwt of Milestone wae used, and the cor,t was about £18. After the treatment a search was made, but not one snail could be found on the property, and it is estimated that the work saved the lives of at least 300 sheep. This season numerous other graziers arc undertaking this method of gettms rid of snails, which are said to cause c lack disease. The Department of Apiculture strongly recommends fhe, adoptwa <rf tbeee methods.