Looking Sheep Over
When the days are hot and there is little breeze, the farmer looks anxiously at the behaviour of his flock. If he sees one or two that seem to ruminate long in one place, he puts the dog round and brings the flock in for examination, for when conditions are sultry the maggot is a continual danger. In a day or two a ewe can become badly infected. I was standing by the sheep pen when the_farmer brought his sheep in. He fastened the gate and soon he was using his crook to draw suspected cases-to him. Looking sheep over is a hot, unpleasant task even when the sun is going down. Only. constant vigilance can prevent serious losses, and, although dipping is a great preventive, immunity does not last for ever. While I watched, the owner of the flock dressed two or three ewes. His sons released the remainder, and. soon the whole flock went streaming back to the hill, bleating as they went, but going slowly, for they were suffering from the effects of the heat as much as any of those who watched them go.
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