North Branch Democrat

Farmer's Column.

FLIES AND VERMIN TROUBLESOME to HORSES, &c. In HOT WEATHER.

Mr. Editor: All of our domestic animals are apt to be annoyed with vermin, which a little of the right kind of knowledge, and a little attention will readily disperse. In some periods of hot weather, flies, especially of the Tabanidae variety, are particularly troublesome. They will render a spirited horse unmanageable, and will often drive cattle from the pasture. Of sheep, the 'Ettrick Shepherd' says, 'The flies were at this time settled in the fold in such numbers that we could with difficulty see each other. The heads of the sheep were swollen and black, and seemed a scab all over, the flies being settled on them like a black cloud. A few were anointed with train oil, and no sooner were they turned in with the others than in a few minutes not a fly was to be seen.' Spirit of tar added to the oil makes it more efficacious, and as the flies will not face these remedies when applied to sheep, horses and cattle should surely be protected from them.

Fleas are very troublesome to dogs. Washing and combing are without efficacy. Tobacco water may be used, though it frequently poisons the dog. Mr. Blain says 'the tolerably certain cure, I know, is to make the dog sleep on fresh yellow deal shavings. Rosin and bran in powder may be usefully applied; oil, however, is believed to be a specific.'

Lice on horses, cattle, sheep, and dogs, are another pest. For these we have invariably found oil a specific. In horses, the prevalence of this filthy vermin, shows want of proper cleaning, although it is oftentimes connected with poverty and mange. In the slighter visitations, we have invariably found that olive oil alone will cause their disappearance from all the above named animals. Corrosive sublimate may be used but it requires great caution in the application.

Ticks in sheep are another nuisance. A mixture of tar and turpentine with oil is a speedy and certain poison for them.

Maggots in sheep sometimes a most fatal vermin, requires the utmost care and vigilance. As soon as they are observed, the parts affected should be deprived of their wool, clipped as close to the skin as possible and the part anointed with spirits of turpentine and oil with tar, or, with a solution of corrosive sublimate, either of which will prove a speedy and perfect cure. - R. McCLURE, in Farmer and Gardener.