The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1910-05-07

Tor less of their energy during tcertadn
months of the year to killing mosqui-
toes the idea of catching them alive
and that by the million is an under
taking which it would seem is hardly
calculated to appeal to anyone either
as a business or a form of recreation.
Nevertheless there are In this city sew
eral men who devote a part of their
time to this occupation, rounding up
in the course Of a season some 10000
600 of these insects. Nor Is their
work profitless, for there is a steady
demand for their catch. The mosqui-
toes are taken in nets but not OF course
one at time as are butterflies; nor
are they captured when full grown.
They are taken in what is known as
the wriggler stage, just before they
are ready to fly, and are dipped up in
cheese cloth nets, several thousand at
a time from the surface of nearby
stagnant pools where they breed. They
are taken, not because Of any value,
but because they furnish a natural food
supply of the most desirable sort for
the fish which are raised at the New
York aquarium. Trout especially thrive
on them, and it is for this reason that
it is necessary for aquarium employees
to go out to catch a mess of mosqui-
toes for the fish. After the mosquitoes
are dipped up they have to be washed
free from mud and separated from 9TH
er larvae before being placed in cans
which hold about 10000 each. The
worst aspect of the whole affair from
the viewpoint Of the average citizen,
however, is that the gobbling up Of co.
600, 900 of these insects each summer
seems to work no decrease in the Wis
ible supply.
Entries have just closed here for the
biggest civil service examination ever
known, and that, too. IN connection
with employment which to say the
most is not over paid. Nevertheless
nearly 10000 applicants have signified
their intentions of taking the examina-
ton for second-g grade clerkships, which
while very easy to pass, and involving
only the simplest duties for the sue
cessful applicants carry a salary Of
only $500 to 81 1850. That such a large
number Of persons are anxious to OBJ
tain the appointments has therefore
caused considerable comment. Prev
ious to this the greatest number Of ap-
plications for position to be awarded
by examination was 6,642. In this case,
however, theA office was one which Is
eagerly sought-a third-class clerkship
carrying from $1,000 to $1,000. Just
when the 1900 applicants in the pres
ent instance will have a chance to take
their examination is indefinite. All
must be examined at the same time
and to handle such an army will in it
self be a gigantic tas,-. Moreover 1t
will be necessary to make use Of desk
room and tables all over the city,
wherever obtainable, so that the exam
ination is likely to prove a record
breaker in more ways than one.
What is probably the least known
and at the same time the most curious
sport in the city-or for that matter in
the whole country-ls the Chinese
pastime Of beetle lighting. In a min
iature way, its popularity in Chinatown
corresponds to the popularity of bull
fighting in Spain. A flrst-class beetle
fight Is an important matter and is
generally the cause Of much betting.
The combatants, couple Of two-inch
beetles, are placed in large porcelain
bowl with sloping sides, a large white
dot having previously been painted on
the back Of one in order that they may
be distinguished. All the fighting is
done with the mandibles, or pinching
claws, which are carefully tested for
strength beforehand. The fight con-
tinues until one Of the contestants sue
ceeds in pinching the other to death.
From an American standpoint the So
called sport would hardly seem to be
interesting, since a combat may last
several hours The oriental, however,
manages to enthuse, since the contests
are always watched with untiring in
terest by good-sized audiences.
Longacre.