The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1902-11-18
SCIENTIFIC WAR ON PEST

1t the belief Of the committee having charge the warfare
mosquitoes in South Orange N J that after another seasons
hard work there will be very few of Jerseys deested
sects in that community where many New York business
make their home The committee has been carrying syse-
matte and energetic fight and than pleased with
suits Draining low lands and prnkng oil on pools of water
and on marshy lands are the methods Of warfare.
Spencer Miller of No. 27 Turrell avenue, South Orange
who mechanical engineer and the inventor of the apparatus
for coang vessels at Chairman of the Mosquito
atng Committee He has made careful of insects
several years. and for that chosen by the people
OF the town to be the general of the antmoSquto army
Mr. Miller in statement for The World gives following
report of the work:
ct nearly ST. do the ong last year Ten thou
sand dollars spent would drain wet spot in
town. and then the problem would take itself This pre-
SCENTS difficulties We raise $1,000 we cannot force
the owners to do their draining Drainage laws exist but
they cumbersome Our local Board of Health has unlimited
power to order wet lands drained but prefers not to exercise its
action.
I'VE used fifty sixty barrels of oil during the season When
began the 1902 we organized central executive
committee of four and four district committees in the four quar-
tiers the town No refused seemed
glad do his We raised money easily bv sbscrnion
Over ST raised in manner We issued circular TO
every voter in town in which set forth the conclusions
at by the work of 1901.
we began active olng operations April d. and at that fine
plenty of larvae found in the pools
we are now using crude oil in and find it very
satisfactory 1t heavy and does evapoate so quickly as the
S OILS however our work this year has taken perma
nent form than ong. organized gang of workmen
to do draining work and $500 draining twenty-five
acres OF low land at least half draining Where the land lies
on gentle slope and has great many epressons will hold
water tor longer period than days have them by
simply filling the holes The wooden all through our
village have been made the dumping grounds for
Dish OF all kinds and certain residents have gone woods
to obtain muck for making flower beds These muck holes av
ing clay bottom hold long time We used rubbish tin
&C. fill in the holes covered them over with ashes
soil If we found hlock conveniently located we would w
It down and I'LL the holes with earth dug We have found
that this be done reasonably owner tract
OF four cost $40 another much one cost for three
and half acres $85, or about SEQ per acre.
Our plan of operation wait upon the owner of the
property and ask him he will drain his property If this
results in negative reply then ask he will subscribe
$50 agreeing to do the work and spend all the money he sub
scbes his premises more money spent than subscrb
ed we take it out of the common fund
we find it important down the undebrush, that
the oier get at the stagnant This improves APP
Pearance of the and OF the indirect advantages
work In this soil has been made dry that
cases we have not found necessary do any filling
The money saved Oing makes the operations economical
One OF the most pulling problems pasture in soft
ground would be mosquito proof there cows The
nnumeabe hoo prints hold and become breeding spots
difficult to oil Two such pastures dtched This dried up
land pretty WELL but will have to wait until spring
work is of permanent value.