Milford chronicle. [volume] (Milford, Del.) 1878-1974, 1901-07-26
Scientists and Nosauitoes.

Science has tackled problem to find
way to get rid Of the mosquito nuis-
ance, that is sure to be abortive. The
use of coal and other oils can be used
to a limited extent efectually only
locally, and that would not amount to
much
When it is borne in mind that the
vast sea, bay and creek marshes, are the
natural propagating grounds Of the
mosquito, where there are millions of
little stagnant ponds covered with green
scum, the causeway bitches, the oOzy
swamp lands, and other out of the way
stagnant pools where the mosquito
breeds. Science will find a job too
stupendous to even make an impress
sion.
We know that in the absence of suf-
ficient rain or tidal overflow to fill the
marshes, mosquitoes are few-some-
times none at all-but when the tens
of thousands of acres Of marsh and low
land is flooded and very warm weather
follows, billions of mosquitoes are ready
for business at the old stand.
have sat in the porch of AIispillion
Lighthouse when the young gluts of
mosquitoes make their appearance.
Looking up the marsh back of Sand
Point beach, column after column of
what appears like smoke, rises fif-
teen to twenty feet in the air all over
the marsh as far as one could see. 1t
was not smoke, but young mosquitoes.
After twirling about in tepee shaped
swaTms for two or three minutes, they
settled down into the grass, soon to
swarm up again like masses of smoke.
Now if the wind springs up from east
or northeast, the mosquitoes rise up
and on the wings of the wind are car
ried far inland, where the day before
there were no mosquitoes. What is
the use Of trying any plan to head of
or annihilate such a vast number OF the
pests
/ remember about the early fall Of
1 1850, the marshes below the mouth Of
old Cedar Creek were so infected with
mosquitoes that a horse would soon be
covered till he looked a lead color
While the glut was at its worst,a thun-
derstorm came up at shutdown with
much hail; the wind blew hard and
very chilling. The next day it con
tinued quite cold from the north, which
benumbed the mosquitoes. Teal duck
being plenty. ] went into the marsh tC
shoot them and found no active mos
quitoes; but in passing over place o.
mud bare of grass that was sOliC
enough to bear me clean-bOOted, ! no
ticed that cattle had crossed the place
leaving tracks six or more inches deeI
with no water in them, and to my sur
prise the holes were even full Of mos
quitoes where the chilling winds Of The
hail-storm had blown them. l was
curious enough to see how big pile
could gather; inserting my hand OF
each side of hole, as one would plcl
up a double hand full Of cherries,
brought up at least quart Of mosqui
toes, and kept on until had pile tina
would fill bushel basket, then 1 go
tired and quit; but had the satisfac
ton of having all the thousands in tina
: pile where l could smash them.
: The fact is, people who talk and writ
about exterminating the mosquitoes, d.
not take into consideration that it is
task utterly impossible. have haule'
loads of hay Off the salt marsh when
boy, when the mosquitoes were so thic
that the oxen were all of the same colo
$ Banking in all the marshes and III
I derdraining them, might PARTIAL
= abate the mosquito nuisance.
! J, II b.