158 



In another barrel slake 4 pounds of lime very slowly and care- 

 fully, at first only adding about a quart of water at a time, until a 

 perfectly smooth paste, free from grit is obtained. Add water to 

 make the whole 23 gallons, and wait until cool. Now pour both 

 together into a cask holding 50 gallons. The milk of lime should 

 be thoroughly stirred before pouring, and finally the mixture 

 should be well stirred for four or five minutes with a wooden pad- 

 dle. 



If not perfect, the mixture is liable to injure the foliage, and in 

 order to test this, put the blade of a penknife into the mixture and 

 leave it for one or two minutes. If there is any deposit of copper 

 on the blade, showing a brownish colour, it is not safe to use it, 

 and more lime must be added until the knife is not discoloured. 



HOW TO KEEP MOSQUITOES FROM THE 



HOUSE. 



The following rules for preventing the mosquito plague is 

 adapted from the United States Bulletin : — 



1. Mosquitoes breed o>ily in water; usually standing water in 

 artificial places, not running streams. 



2. Mosquitoes occur in the vicinity in which they breed. In- 

 vasions from long distances are exceptional. 



3. The young mosquito or " wriggler" lives in water at least 10 

 or 12 days. 



4. Although the wrigglers live in water, they iniisl come fre- 

 quently to the surface to breathe. 



5. Kerosene oil on the surface of the water prevents the wriggler 

 from breathing. 



6. Destroy the breeding places and you will destroy the 

 moscjuitoes. 



7. Empty the water from all tubs, buckets, cans, flower pots, 

 vases, etc., once a week. 



8. Fill in or drain all pools, ditches and various excavations, 

 such as post holes left unfilled, etc. 



9. Change regularly all water needed in chicken-runs, yards, 

 etc. 



10. Treat with kerosene oil all standing water which cannot be 

 screened or drained (l oz of oil (two tablespoonsful) will cover 

 15 square feet of surface). The oil does not affect the water for 

 use if the water is drawn from below. 



11. Put wire netting over cisterns, wells and tanks of water 

 in every-day use. 



12. Places in which it is undesirable to place oil, such as 

 watering troughs for stock, ponds, etc., can be kept free of the 

 wrigglers by putting in gold fish. The nymphs of dragon flies 

 and tadpoles of frogs also feed on the wrigglers. 



13. See that the plumbing about the place is in perfect order. 

 Prevent leakage of pipes or clogging of eaves and gutters. 



14. Inspect all cesspools and see that the covers are absolutely 

 tight. 



