The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-06-03
j y =
WILL DRIVE BATS.
FR0M0LD MANSION.
Dr.. Fisher, Of Biological Service,
to Evict Them from Montvillc
by Funigating Place.
Will NOT XII THEM
INT,,L Nat ~ -. Toa, 1FT.,4:1 1I,11
Work Not to BE Done Until Fall,
So That the Young Will Not
Pcrisl,-Old Aylett Home.
WASHINGTON, D. G., June s.--pr. A.


X. Fisher,o OF the Biological Survey o
the Department OF Agriculture. has re
turned from Montville, Va. the famou
estate Of the Aylett family, which wa
reported so greatly infested with bat;
that 1t was thought 1t would be neccs
sary to burn the house to get rid o
| them.
Like tho report of the death o
Mark Twain said DR.. Fisher yester
day. "the report OF the number OF bat.
Mt Montville was greatly exaggerated.
There arc many bats In the old house
but from careful observation should
estimate the number at not more tha,
500. and not untold thousands, as re.
| ported.
Entered Through LnrEc Holes.
Nor were the bats capable OF getting
into alright rooms and through small
cracks in the walls. They entera.]
through holes near the caves big
enough to admit an animal much larger
than the bats that have taken IN their
abode in the place.
Philip Aylett, owner OF the estate.
wrote to the department for advice. AS
IT Is difficult to give advice without
knowing the conditions, I went to
Montville to see for myself.
Il found the house. untenanted for
ABOUT six years, except for a part of
the lower floor. overrun with bats.
aot their eviction presents no difn-
cuities. ! advised Mr.. Aylett to have
all the holes in the caves closed, ex-
sept ,. two or three. then. about twi-
'ught, fumigate the house thoroughly.
and the bats would leave by the holes
left open. BY closing the remaining
holes and keeping them closed the ba
question will be settled.
Will Not Kill Bats.
"F'umigatlon will not be done until
1all, as this is the breeding season.
and the young bats. being unable TO
fly. would be killed in the house. This
would only cause unpleasant results.
and we are anxious to save the bats.
as they arc purely inscctivorous ana
OF great benefit to farmers.
Perhaps no other animal destroys
as many insects as do bats except
moles. A mole will cat Its own weight
In grubs In night. If a mole be de-
prived OF food for twelve hours 1t Will
die. AS the killing OF birds and In
sect-destroying mammals has made II
difficult to cope with the consequent
increase IN the number Of plant de-
stroying insects; the Department OF
was naturally anxious to
save the lives of the bats at Mont
Vile.
"Montville did not descend from
Patrick Henry. 1t is part of a grant
made to one OF the ancestors of the
present generation OF Ayletts by
Charles H.. and its only connection. with
the Henry family is the marriage OF
Elizabeth Henry. daughter OF Patrick
Henry. to an Aylett.
Henry Never Mt Montvllle.
Patrick Henry lived in a different
part Of the State and was never All
The bat house at Mont.
vile was built in 1880. and the house
N which Elizabeth Henry Aylett and /
ner husband lived. and which is still
landing was built In 1900.
After the publication OF the stor,,
ne mouse was about to be burned. Mr. |
Aylett received many letters from all
over the country some with advice ne
. now the place might be cleared 30
pats, and others asking IL he wonI5
lot sell >the house SO 1t might be erect
~ On some other site and preservea
OF us historic associations. As he Ma
70 intention OF burning the house
.au as II has no especial historic as
'pciat,ons, he was forced to refuse hot,,
nc doVlce and the offers