Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-05-11


ism they may be checked by the same
spraying solution used for the elm leaf
beetle. AS these moths cannot fly, II il
comparatively easy to rid tree of them.
To protect neighbering trees from the
creeping caterpillars an excellent plan is
to wrap about the trunk OF the tree enough
sticky hypaper to completely encircle II.
fhis serves to entangle the feet of the
crawler ana discourage further advance.
Brown-Tail Moth.
The brown-tail moth is a flyer, and en-
tomologists prophesy that unless the pub
lie awaken to the gravity of the situation
and take the most radical means for it's
suppression 1t will before long disseminate
Its ravases over the entire United States.
Beginning its unholy career in Massa-
chusetts 1T has already spread to as far
east as PASSPORT. Me-, and westward no,
into New York state, these insects which
NOT only damage fruit and shade trees hut
poison the human flesh wherever il ia
souched' are attracted to light which re-
ing nrst infested. When a swarm of moths
rise from any infested spot and are carried
OH oy the wind, they fly to the nearest
=. aass Oh hghts and as soon as their colony
y. 10 estaDished begin the practical destruc-
uon or the city's shade. When one tree IL
stripped they march to the next, They
h emerge early In the spring, eating first
Foliage Of fruit trees as soon as Il DE-
veiops. These moths have a special ukin~
ior the pear tree. The brown tail moth
- exceedingly handsome. the female being
pure white, with large wings II ia con-
spicuous by reason Of an enlarged tuft or
Drown hair, from which II gets its NAME
me nabit OF the caterpillar OF wfntering
The ~ s,,ss At the tins OF branches admits Of
s .ne simple remedy of cutting off and burn
ny the webs during the fall or winter
Inns gives such excellent results that IN
S GERMANY. France and Belgium there are
owners to destrop the webs during the min.
Ter. where citizens neglect to do this. N
Is zone for them by the local authorities-
th the es 400 .ne cost to their taxes. Once
solution as Tor the elm leaf beetle.
To Fight the Mosquito.
Here. again. neighborhood co-operation
essenuaL After each householder has
looked after her own yard. making certain
there is not a single emptv tin can no.
mower pot. not an uncovered scistern nor
rainwater barrel, a defective roof leader a,
ground depression to hold even few inches,
.. stagnant water. let them unite. to look
aIter adjacent dump grounds vacant lots
ana standing pools. Here kerosene is the
great remedy. The crude petroleum Is SUI
perior to the refined oil and should he used
In the proportion Of one pint of oil to A
water surface OF about twenty feet In diam
eter: A less amount of oil will still be eff
iective. as just scum of OIL on the surface
oostructs the delicate respiratory appa ratus
OF the larvae and quickly suffocates them.
The oiling Of pools or other standing water
should be repeated every two weeks. In
the pretty village of Montclair, where mos
quitoes formerly made life almost unen-
durable and malaria was rampant, the citi-
zeps Joined forces with the health board in
breaking up the larvae-breedIng grounds.
vi 10 lie ioal Ixr
mune There were fourteen ponds and
pools In the immediate vicinity Of Montclair
Now the most of these have been drained
and dried and the rest are kept oiled About
one barrel Of oil IL used In five weeks. and
the simple manner In which the work Is
carried on makes the work inexpensive.
Carrying the oil in pals. a man with his
feet incased in high rubber hip boots sprays
the oil over the surface Of the water by
means OF a small pump AS 1t strikes the
water the oil forms a blush scum, COM
pletely covering every inch Of the breeding
grounds. neighbornood boys brigade
might be organized for this crusade the
youthful heroes getting plenty of fun and
doing efficient service at the same time.
To Drive Out Rats and Mice.
While on the warpath these same doughty
warriors might be employed to fight rats
and MICE Chloride of lime put in their rum
ways will not only purify the air. but burn
the feet of the rodents and frighten them
away. Strong spirits of ammonia sprayed
in their holes and in the cracks of the sub
base of room Is also effectual Still an
other discourager of attention Is cloth
spread with white of egg. then sprinkled
thickly with red pepper and tackled over
the rat hole, pepper inside
Air-Slaked Lime for Ants.
A never-failing remedy for ants of any
sort Is air-slaked lime. Scatter 1t freely
wherever they run. They cannot stand 1t
in any place.
Mint and Cress.
II you are about laying out your sum-
mer garden. why not put in water cress
and mint near the well, or in some damp
spot where flowers will not flourish? Given
plenty of shade and moisture. the roots OF
both plants will flourish and spread, af-
fording with almost no care, abundance OF
mint for summer drinks and dishes. and
crispy water cress for breakfast and garni-
ture
For the Back Porch.
A piazza box on the back porch or fire
escape of a city house, filled with rich soil
and sowed to parsley and cucumber seed.
will furnish not only an attractive screen
and bit of green, but give abundance of
parsley for soups and garnishes. and Gu
AS soon as the cucumber vines begin to
stretch out their tendrils, stretch net
work of cords for them to run up on.
Keep quite moist and you will be rejoiced
at the outcome.