The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1910-06-09
A FLEA INQUIRY.

a redueT Oh tHcSe uOteS living ueui
Quinton, N. J., writes stating that he
has lately moved on to a farm which
Is overrun with fieas and stating that
be will be eternally grateful for any
suggestion which would aid in getting
rid of the pest. The writer's expert
encs with f1eas has been very limited,
and he Is mighty glad of 1t. judging
from what he has been able to CLEAN
through other folks trials with them.
However, inquiry made Of those who
have run afoul Of them has resulted
In a suggestion or two which may help
our good friend out Of his trouble.
One Is stabling a few sheep In the In
tested quarters and then marketing
the Sheep when the feas will be on
the other fellow, which, Of course. is
the Prime consideration. A method
which proved effective on another
ranch which harbored millions Of them,
with headquarters in a dry wagon
shed, was the scattering Of wood ashes
inside the building and then giving
the place a good wetting down with
water. The friend who relates this In
stance states that II an infested place
is shut up tight and no animals allow
ed to enter 1t the feas will die OF. We
offer this last for what 1t Is worth. 1t
is plain that Heas prefer dry and sandy
places and seem to thrive there best;
hence a wetting down Of such places
after scattering ashes would seem to
be at least a partial solution. Doubt
less q fumigation of infested places
with fumes of sulphur or Tornado
hyde would be valuable. Another tells
us that when ones clothing is inhabit-
ed with the pests the only way to have
peaceful sleep is to disrobe on the
back porch, shake out ones under
clothing and nightrobe, and II an at
tack is made during the night to re-
peat the operation out of the window.
The writer will keep this iea business
In mind, and II he learns Of anything
more effective than the methods sug-
gested he will give his readers the
benefit of 1t.
A PLEA FOR BOYS AND GIRLS.
Many of the saddest and most heart
rending of LIES tragedies might be
averted were parents to recognize the
responsibility which is surely on their
shoulders of informing their children
In the early years-far better too
early than too late-of the chief facts
nh
gin and the dangers incident to igno-
rance of the vital facts. Find out about
these things boys and girls will-if not
from pure and reliable then from vul.
gar and Enthusiastically sources. Per.
haps the victim Is fair young girl,
whose confidence has been betrayed
and whose bright and happy life Is
blasted at Its threshold, or maybe 1t
Is q stalwart son, who finds out too
late through agonizing experience that
he Is a virtual imbecile or is tainted
for life with some loathsome disease
which may mean early death. but In
any event must always debar him
from those joys which center In a hap
py home of his own and life of whole
someness and usefulness. The teach.
ing of these truths in the home and In
the school Is of far more account than
mathematics. history or language. yet
they are almost universally and most
stupidity ignored. As a people we are
devoting too much time and energy to
material things-the shop, the office.
the farm; too much time to horses and
cattle, to sheep and swine. their breed
Ing and their rations-and far too little
thought to the boys and girls and their
problems, on whom more than all 9th
er things or interests the future wei
fare of the country depends. The boys
and girls are worth while. 1t Ii time
they were given a square deal.