The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1873-07-28

There are two species Of moths which
iniest furniture. One is n large fly, OF
silvery white color the worm OF the
same is shaped like q chestnrI worm,
and Is iamilinrly known. It rarely in.
tests furniture. The other is small
fly, Of dark drab color the worm is
about ono-iourth OF an inch long, and
tapering from the head TO the tail. 1t
was first observed BY upholsterers about
thirteen years ago, This fly penetrates
sofa or chair, generally between the
back sofas, or under the seats, where
the vacancy among the springs affords
safe retreat. It may make Judgment
in one week after hefurniture is placed
in a house. II such should be the case,
in two months the worm will appear /;
and hecontinual process OF procreation
in n few months increases the number
to thousands.
This moth has no season. 1tdestroys
in winter and summeralike, Us it is kept
in active life by the constant heat Of
the house. We find at the same time
in the same piece Of furniture, the ay,
the worm, and eggs-tllus showing that
they are breeding and destroying all the
time. Itdoes not eat good pure, curled
hair, but fnstens its cocoon to it, the
elasticity of which prevents its being
disturbed. The inside Of furniture is
used by it only for purposes OF propa-
cation.
The worm when ready forfood, crawls
out and destroys the covering, II OF
wooden or plush material, and falling to
the carpet destroys it. They rarely
cut through plush from the inside, rs it
is Of cotton back, but there are instances
where they have cut up muslin on the
outside backs Of sofas. There is no pro-
lection against it but continual care.
New furniture should be removed
from the walls at least twice o week at
this season OF the year, and should be
well wlisked allround, and particularly
under the seats, to prevent the fly from
lodging. This is an efIectual proven
tive, and the only one known. Cayenne
pepper, Scotch snuff, turpentine, and al
other remedies for protection from the
large moth are OF little or no avaiI
against the furniture moth. Saturatior
with alcohol will not destroy them wher
in piece OF furniture.
II the furniture is infested, they may
be removed by taking of the muslin
from under the seats, and of the outside
ends and backs, where they congregatt
most, and exposing it 10 tho air as mucl
possible. Beat well with whisk or the
open shand, and kill all the flies ant
worms which show themselves. Thi'
done often will disturb them, and may
make them leave the furniture, us it!
desire is to be left quiet. When The
furniture is free from moths, and is Il
be left during the summer months with
out attention, it. may be protected BY
camphor in small bags, or highly con
centnted patchouly, The safest way il
to have furniture we'll w.i.Ae., twice {
week.
II the moth attacks the carpet, which
they will first do undor the sofas ant
chairs, spread wet sheet on the carpe
and pass hot flat.iron oycrit quickly
the steam will eirectually destroy boil
worm and egg. II furniture is delivered
in dwelling free from moths, the up
holsterer's responsibility ends there
and nil rests with thehousekeeper, rs az
tradesman eau tell whether the mott
will attack II or not. There are case
where the furniture has been in use ter
or twelve years before being attacked
It would be rs fair to hold the tailor re
sponsible for the safety Of clothing n
to hold the upholterer responsible TO
the safety OF furniture. Cabinet Maker