The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-05-12

like villages that dot eastern New Jersey.
Why, thcy would ask. arc so many fine
houses deserted by their owners, and going
begging for tenants Why are so many
charming spots for summer homes left, year
after year, unimprovcd? Why are 50 many
families moving back at tho beginning Of
the hot season to tho city, and 50 many
other families anxious to follow thcm2
Why; Malaria. That Is why. That is
the blight that hangs over our lovcliest
suburbs, killing off tho residents and fright
cuing away the would-be residents
We arc glad to note the multiplying signs
that the persons who have most at stake
are beginning to wake up to the Importance
of an intelligent, united, and persevoring
effort TO get rid of this invisible enemy that
walks in darkness and wastes at the noon
day. Tho "Nillage Improvement Assoca-
citation is an admirable Yankee invention,
and we hope to see it adopted In all sections
Of the country; but at present and for some
years TO come local Citizens Health Asso-
Citations will be more to the purpose in the
towns and villages that girdle this mctrop-
oils. Several such associations have already
been formed and arc doing good work; but
there should be many more Of them.
Before one Of these associations. that Of
the New Jersey Oranges, Bloomfield and
Montclair. Mr.. G. L. WGNGArE read n lee
turc, the other day. on Rural Hygiene"
which should be printed and circulated
through all the towns and villages in this
region. Tho more such tracts for the times
are put in the hands of tho people the
better for them and their children.
We can note only Il few Of the practical
suggestions which give this lecture its value.
Quoting his authorities as he went along,
Mr.. WINGATE uttered an emphatic warning
against the mania of many rich people for
smothcrug their houses in trees and shrub
berry, AMI for damming up natural water
ways. thereby running them for drainage
purposes in order to create unwholcsomc
artificial ponds. lie followed Prof. BAR
TnoLoNEw Of Cincinnati in condcmning the
stupidity Of cutting away the belts Of trees
that divide the hllsides from the marshes
below. and cited the Professors impressive
language: "Whcn some vandal destroys
these friendly guardians Of the hills, woe
betidc those who live in palaces on the topw
lie urged the paramount impoI tancc Of an
abundant supply Of fresh air and sunlight;
the drainage OF all marshy places with the
exclusion Of salt water il on the tide level;
the growth Of the best vegetation that the
degree ~ drainage will allow; the clean
ing ont and waliing in Of the brooks;
the cleaning. draining. or walling in
Of ponds; good artificial drainage in
towns and villages; the undcrdrah-
ing Of all highways with open stone
drains or porous tile; the thorough rctcr-
nation and ventilation Of that prolific
source Of disease, tho cesspool and its ~
moval TO safe distance from house, spring
or well: a.. abundant supply Of pure water
from springs rather than wells wherever
possible: and q vigorous abatement Of
nuisances, including tine air-poisoning fac-
tory, the slaughter house, and the pig styc.
In six words pure air, pure soil, pure water.
These are suggestions that it behoOves
every owner Of property in our suburban
towns and villages. especially II he be-
also the father OF family, TO heed. When
ever and wherever they are acted upon, real
estate will go up; desirable residents will
flock in, in increasing numbers rs the fact
becomes known; the doctor, the druggist,
and the undertaken will have much moro
leisure and much smaller incomes 10
carry out these sanitary reforms win I'M
doubtcdly cost money, as Mr. WINGArE
says-a great deal Of money in the aggre-
gate. But health and prosperity arc worth
paying for.