The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1913-07-01
NoSoulTO PLAGUE OF THE
NEW ENGLAND COAST.

fBy ". E BRFTTON.)
The salt marshes along the coast
furnish the principal part of the o
quito plague in most of the New Eng
land States. Contrary to b habits
of most mosquitoes, those of the salt
marsh species fly inland long dis
tAnces, and a. they are large and very
al. ard are vOracious feeders
they make life a burden to many in
IA p,tants. Thee are two species Of
| mosquitoes which breed ~abundantly
on the salt marshes and which are
commonly cal ed h brown salt
marsh mosquito and the banded salt
| marsh mosquito.
The brown species breed upon the
marsh early in the season, DING long
distances inland in search Of food.
About July first, it is almost wholly
replaced by the landed species. which
remains during the rest of the season
The general methods of mosquito
control are: Cd A draining Of the
marshes: 90 oiling the breeding
pools, nj go screening eff all rain
water receptac es. The first draining
Is the method which should be used
for the permanent control of the mos
quito nuisance; The second may be
employed temporarily until draining
can be done, and the third should re-
ceive attention each year.
Where mosquito larvae or WrigglerS
are found in any pool, they may be
killed in a few minutes by spreading a
film Of Oil ever the surface Of the
water. 1t is necessary for the larvae
to come to the surface about once
each two minutes to breath, and the
Oil not only prevents the air from en-
tering their respiratory system, but
Also enters their breathing tubes, de
stroying the tissues, and they soon
die. The oil must be applied about
once each ten days to keep the pool in
a safe, no~n-breeding condition. For
this purpose ordinary kerosene, which
can be purchased from any grocer
will answer. Some prefer a heavier
ell, called light fuel Oil.
Oiling, at its best, is but a temporary
Iexpedient, and should be practiced or
the salt marshes only until the
marshes can be drained. In mid-sum-
mer the tan vegetation often obscures
many small breeding places, and like.
wise makes it difficult to distribute
the Oil on the surface of the water
where needed, most Of it striking thu
vegetation.
A convenient method Of applying OF
is by means Of small compressed all
sprayers with cylinders Of galvanized
sheet iron. Each cylinder contain.
a pressure pump n will hold about
ten and one-haaf gallons of liquid. /
1iOy NJ III - ILIIO VI III ~
a strap thrown over the shoulder
( Such an outfit, including short piece.
of hose with nozzle, may be purchase;
!, for about 81. SO. A two-foot extension
rod is almost a necessity and cost
thirty-five cents extra. Where larg,
T areas are to be treated barrels Of OF
should be distributed at various con
Went points, in or around the marsh
The amount Of Oil 10 be applied is or,
fluid ounce to each fifteen square fee
OF water surface. A less quantity vii
: often fail to Kill the Wrigglers.
e Many cottages and farm houses ar
obliged to secure a water supply fron
the rain as it falls on the roofs and j
conducted into barrels or cistern.
Where these receptacles are abov
ground mosquitoes Wi
certainly breed in them. Such vessel
should always be screened, and if
y Is necessary to take water from tn
top of h barrel, mosquito nettin
tackled upon a hoop, somewhat large
y than the top of the barrel. can b
a placed Over it and removed at pleas
'e ure, and mosquitoes cannot reach tn
e water to lay their eggs
II Tin cans, kettles, broken bottle;
!, Iclogged cutters and other receptacle
= on dump or scattered promiscu
g DUSTY, are prolific breeding place
oI Wherever they contain water for
le week or more, and should never b
Re tolerated.
The brown salt marsh
g Swampy ground drained to rid til
" section Of m0sqnitoes.
The handed salt marsh mosnuito
e Mosquito breeding pools.
Otiins pools to kill mosquitoes.
~ Every now and then We hear
sa1d the modern farmer spends te
much money for machinery. *
= hardly think lie does, though the,
- are, OF course, exceptional cases. TT