The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1873-10-15


There are two species Of moths
which infest furniture. One i a
large fly, ot silvcry white color. the
worm of the same i shaped Ike a
chestnut worm, and j. familieriv
known l. rarely iafests furniture
he other is 4 small fy, of a dark
drab color; The worm IS about cra.
fourth Of an inch long. and taperinz
ff0m the head 10 tie tail. i; yss
first observed by upholsterers. about
thirteen years ago. The ay pene-
trates a sofa or chair, generally be-
tween the back sofas. or under the
seats, where the vacancy among the
springs affords a safe retreat IL
NAV make q lodgment in one week
alter the furniture IS placed in house.
If such be the case, in two months
the worm viii appear; and the con
tinual process Of pFoereation in 4 few
months increases the number 10 thou
sands
This moth has 10 season. IL de-
stFovs in winter aud summer alike, rs
it is KEEP: in active life by the constant
heat Of the house. We hnd at the
same tine In the same piece Of furni-
ture, the Ay, the worm and the egg
thus showing that they are breeding
snd destroying all the time. Il does
not eat good pure eurled hair, bu;
fsstens its cocoon to it, the elasticity
Of which prevents its being disturbed.
The inside Of furniture IS used By It
only for purposes Of propagation.
The worm when ready for food,
crswls out and destroys the covering,
if Of wooden or plush material, and
falling to the carpet destroys it.
They rarely cut through plush from
the inside, as it is Of cotton back, but
there are instances where they have
cut up muslin on the outside backs Of
sofas There IS no protection sgainst
il but continued care
New furniture should be removed
from the walls at least twice Z week
at this season Of the year, and should
be well whisked al round, and par
under the seats, to prevent
the fly from lodging. This Is an ef-
fectual preventive, and the only one
known. Cayenne pepper, scotch
snuff, turpentine, and all other rene
lies for protection from the large
moth are Of little or no avail against
he furniture moth SaturatiOn with
,lcohol viii not destroy them when
n piece Of furniture.
II the furniture i infested, they
nav be removed By taking Of the
muslin from under the seats, and OF
be outside ends and backs. where
hey eongregatc most, and exposing
: TO the air as mucl a. possible
Beat well with q whisk or the open
and, and kin all the flies and worms
which show themselves. This done
ften viii disturb them. and m az
lske them leave the furniture. as its
esire i to be left quiet When the
Irniture is free from moths, and Is 70
e left during the summer months
FithOut attention, It nav be protect
d by camphor in small bags. or high
: concentrated pateh0uly. The SAT
st way is to have the furniture well
-hlsked twice z week
II the moth attacks the carpet.
Thich they first DO under the sofas
I'D chairs, spread Z wet sheet on the
srpet and pass 4 hot Eat iron over Il
uicklv-the steam viii efectuallT
estroy both worm and egg. If fur
iture Is delivered in a dwelling free
rom moths, the uphOlsterers respon-
ibility ends there, and all rests with
be hOusekeeper, as no trsdes-msn
an tell whether the moth viii attack
or not There are cases where tte
IrDiture has been in use 10 or u
ears before being attacked II would
e IS fair TO hold the tailor responsi-
lie for the safety Of clothing as %
old the upholsterer responsible for
be safety OF fuTniture.-C1tinst Ma