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Wairarapa Standard, Volume III, Issue 135, 19 August 1869, Page 2

A moke economical method of curing the scab disease than that at present used, will be a God-send to the flock owners of this province. Many hesitate to dip their sheep, more especially when the disease makes its appearance in winter, on account of the

heavy cost of the materials at present used; they postpone the dipping until

after shearing, and in the meanwhile tl e disease has made rapid progress and the difficulty of cleaning the flock is far greater than before. Wo are very glad to note that a solution of sulphur and lime is spoken of in a recent issue of the “Australasian,” on So high au authority as the Inspector General of sheep in Victoria, as one of the most effective cures of this infectious disease.

The proportions given are 2ozs. of quick lime (unslaked), 4ozs. flour of sulphur and Igal. of water to be boiled together, and kept boiling for ten minutes ; a sheep immersed in this and kept in for one minute at a temperature of 100 °, and bathed a second time ten days afterwards in a similar solution, but with only half the quantities of sulphur and lime cannot fail, it is stated to be cured of their disease. The cost of the ingredients 1 is trifling and the dipping is stated to be I innocuous in its effects on the wool.

We shall be very glad if this is tried and succeeds. It would not only save the sheep-farmers a very heavy item in the cost of the tobacco at present used, but the freight of that article also to some of the stations is not inconsiderable. The lime which is stated to be only necessary to dissolve the sulphur could be obtained with great ease in the neighbourhood of most stations in this district, and the requisite quantity of sulphur would be the only thing to be purchased. At any rate it is worth a trial, and we hope that if successful it will be the means of enabling the farmers of the Wairarapa to eradicate this pest from the flocks in the valley.