Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1900-09-13

Howard, euGOmOlOS4SI VI IhC uSpSA'
ment of agriculture at Washington, ne
treats at length OF the MOSQUITO from i
scientific as well as popular, or unpop-
ular, standpoint.
According to DR.. Howard, Lapland
and Alaska appear to be the Iands
where the pestiferous insect does most
flourish. DR.. Howard points out that
in Lapland the fight of mosquitoes Isl
comparable only to fall OF snow ana
that in the neighborhood OF the CrImea
the Russian soldiers often die OF mort-
fication from mosquito bites. 1t APP
pears from the literature on this sub
iect that mosquitoes can be found trom
the equator to the pole. In fact, the
farther north the explorer goes the
more fierce are the tribes OF this insect,
While the mosQ.ito is by no means
an inactive body, he does not traVeI
far from his native swamp of his own
volition. But when the gentle wind
blows over his haunt he rises in sWarms
and is waited far away to settle in
new locality and there reproduce his
species. Mosquitoes hibernate and may
be frequently found during the winter
months in barns, cellars and cold gar
rets.
Returning visitors from the seashore
are held accountable for the spread u
the lowland mosquitoes into the in
terror. Trains travelling inland from
Weehawken, Hoboken, Jersey City,
gA1GilD resorts
carry in the care mosquitoes by the
hundreds. In this way says Dr.
Howard, unlimited quantities OF mos
quitoes are carried unlimited distances,
and, emerging from the cars, Will start
to breed even in localities where mos
uuitoes are ordinary rare, or would De
rare under ordinary conditions. In
this way even the mountain resorts
will get their supply of lowland mos
uuitoes. and with the Improvement of
railway service and the increase in
number Of through cars the danger Is
constantly increasing"
About $50 species of mosquitoes are
known. Of which only about 30 divided
into five different genera, have been
found in the United States.
Kerosene The Best Remedy
DR.. Howard treats at length of the
remedies for the mosquito plague. lie
is a firm believer in the theory that an
ounce OF prevention is worth pound
OF cure, and, while he is favorably I'M
pressed with the idea that dragon flies,
fish. nighthawks and whip-poor-w wills
destroy many mosquitoes, he believes
that a few ounces Of koresene scattered
over stagnant pools is more etticacious.
DR.. Howard dismisses the subject of
dragon flies by saying:
This whole subject Of the natural
enemies of the mosquito is OF little
practical importance. Beyond doubt
the most satisfactory method of deal
ing with the mosquito IS to prevent its
reproduction. For this DR.. Howard
strongly recommends the use of kero-
sene sprayed on stagnant pools, ponds
and other breeding places.
The use of oil for this purpose is by
no means anything new. DR.. ID. Z,
Clark OF Baltimore points out that is
long ago as 1912 in work published IN
London the writer urged that mos
uuitoes could be satisfactorily dealt
with by pouring oil upon standing
waters infected by them, DR.. Clark
says: During the past few years
kerosene has been rather extensively
used at many places in an effort To-
limit the mosquito supply AS already
pointed out there are many places
where the source of mosquito supply Isl
definitely limited and easy of treat
ment. and in such cases on account of
the cheapuess of kerosene it will bel
the best means Of eradication. lA|
Other places where communities are
surrounded with swamp land or in the
case OF extensive sea marshes kerosene
can be practically used in connection
with other and more elaborate
measures comprchending as a rule,
dyktng and draining"
Experiments Which Succeeded.
Amons recon. experiments in this
line which have been successful Dr..
Howard mentions that made by al
country club on Staten island, the
Town Improvement society OF Summit, |
n. J.. by NJ. J. Wightman at Midland
Beach and Others At Staten island
and Summit, y. j., a spray pump was
used Permanganate OF potassium has
been recommended ~ some writer's, |
but Or. Howard holds that no good
whatever can result from the use Of