Evening star., 1938-04-23
BY LAWRENCE CROLIUs.

~ EFORE very long now our little
- winged enemies. the flies, mos
quitoes and hordes of other
- creatures will be batterin2
their heads against screened windows
and doors. Strangely enough great
number of them seem to be able to
wriggle through regardless of the type
Of screen used and are soon sitting
around on food and bald pates max
ing themselves very obnoxious. As
some smart observer put 1t. they seem
to be able to pass almost any screen
test without difficulty.
A very discouraging type of screen
has recently been devised, however, at
least it should be discouraging for an
insect to meet instant death, and they
have a pretty slim chance Of getting
away with their little lives, let alone
get through into the house
This screen consists of parallel rods,
alternate rods being charged with elec-
tricity supplied by a small trans
former connected to the house alter
mating current. When a fly or other
bug begins to force his unwanted pres
ence through the barrier. he suddenly
finds that he has completed an electric
circuit with his body and is promptly
electrocuted. The whole thing sounds
very lethal. We admit, but at least 1t
Is extremely efficient and will help
keep your home free Of pests.
Because Of the low voltage and cur
rent required to put insects to death
you need not fear that the electric
chair screen will be injurious to hu-
man beings or pets. In fact, the whole
screen only consumes 4 watts, and as
q result is very economical to oper-
ate. II you want to you can also OBJ
tain a screen device which is some
what less sporting as it utilizes a light
to attract, then the killing is per-
formed.
1t Is an extremely stimulating and
satisfa ctory sight to see great swarm
OF insects. which have been dashing
about eager to get your person or
other available food in their tiny
clutches, suddenly run afoul OF the
charged screen or the light fixture.
They go to their doom with a slight
singeing sound. coupled with a tiny
blue fash of flame People who have
used these devices ind that incredible
numbers of dead bodies are found
around the door or window where the
installation has been made In fact,
around dairies and places Of that sort,
bushel of flies a day is considered
only fair cunning.
X
HERE is another new wrinkle in the
Venetian blind industry which
We have been talking so much about
OF late. This blind is not only q
metal-slatted arrangement, but also
does away with the cotton tapes and
cotton cords.
Instead of those elements which are
obviously subject to considerable wear
In time and are apt to give out, this
venetian blind features a clever nickel
plated brass chain to hold the Stats
apart in their proper places. The
cords for fitting and raising and low
erlng are also made OF chain so that
the unit should come very near to
lasting forever.
These blinds can be obtained with
aluminium Stats for outdoor use, and
you will find that they will do an
amazing job of keeping your house
cool during the hottest summer days
because OF their efficient shading Of
the hot suns rays. In fact, a great
many engineers and architects con-
slider Venetian blinds almost a neces-
sity in the most modern air-condition-
Ing installations. They cut down the
load to which the air conditioner
would otherwise be subjected, and not
only cut down a great deal on the
original cost of an air-conditioninR
system. but reduce the cost Of opera
ton by large margin.
One more word about these pet
blinds Of ours. The Stats have at last