New-York tribune., 1903-07-05
DEATH TO THE MOSQUITO,

1T seems almost too good to be true but / really
think that the work that has been done by the
Board Of Health in eradicating mosquito germs is
already showing substantial results said the
mistress of pretty suburban place in The Bronx
district Certainly" she continued IF every one
would only help the good work by keeping her own
Few acres free from all mosquito breeding places
there is good hope in the near future
we might be free from a plague that for years has
bred malaria deprecated the value of our property
and ruined our summer enjoyment OF out of door
life.
I do not think that people half realize what each
individual can do 70 help hinder the good work
I did not begin to understand the situation myself
until recently. when had talk with of the
men employed in disnfecting the breeding places of
our little enemies. I had noticed man going about
with long spouted watering pot, who came into
my place several times. At first I thought il was
some one wishing TO get water for horses. and paid
no attention TO him; but seeing him again,
asked him his business To help you get rid of
your mosquitoes lady he said respectfully, and
then explained to that each can the men car
ried bag OF some death dealing compound 10 the
wriggers, he called them, which would last all
day by adding water when necessary. With this
liquid his business was TO spray all spots which his
experienced eye told him might breed mosquitoes,
and then we had long and interesting conversa-
ton on the subject, and learned a great deal.
In the first place 1t seems that water is actually
necessary to breed them; thick grass foliage will
harbor but cannot produce them But what aston
ished me most Of all the quantity OF the vicious
little insects that tiny of water can produce
Why, the hoof of a horse when it sinks into
muddy spot and leaves a hollow that fills UP With
water, produces thousand ''wrigglers' said the
man. have been work with my men for two
months he continued and I reckon that we have
killed millions upon millions But there is too
much water to drain disinfect' I argued so
what can the little that you able do effect?
It's stagnant water that breeds them he
swered. and gradually that be reclaimed
thoroughly dsinfected; then the conditions will be-
come gradually better. and just as infectious
disease will be at last stamped out. so the mosquito
But everybody should help he added. Now I
guess you think your nice little place here is kept
just right and that you at least have mosquito
breeding places, but you just and take little
walk around with me- Near some cold frames was
a wooden keg full OF water. What is this for?
spray my seedlings with I answered That keg
alone would breed at least ten thousand mos
quitoes,' he said Tt is chock full Of wriggIers'
And he sprayed it with his solution. And that
that I had had inclosed with rockwork and made
picturesque object with creepers. That is enough
70 Ill your house with mosquitoes all summer
But you cannot spray that l exclaimed; IT will
spoil the water No. he answered. but you must
covered, which would be still better Well that's
all, anyway. l said. I fird
anything else out Of the way. The mosquito
grinned How about that? he queried pointing
to the pride of my garden a sunken fountain filed
er,' he declared brandshing his watering pot. But
in this case refused to sacrifice myself pro bono
publico. Ny Egyptian and African water lilies
should not be disturbed. All the same. however. I