August, '17] HOWARD: FLY CONTROL EXHIBIT 411 



Copulation takes place within a day or two after the final molt. 



Oviposition occurs in from 14 to 42 days after copulation with a maxi- 

 mum period of oviposition of 155 days. 



The number of ova per female ranged from 7 to 562. 



The incubation period at room temperature ranged from 18 to 23 

 days. 



The longevity of larvse ranged from 19 to 63 days with an average of 

 44 days. 



A FLY CONTROL EXHIBIT 



By C. W. Howard 



In the autumn of 1915 it fell by lot to the writer to prepare for the 

 State Fair, the major portion of the exhibit of the Division of Economic 

 Zoology, of the Agricultural Experiment Station. The task seemed 

 difficult, for in years past we had nearly exhausted the possibilities of 

 preparing a new and interesting display of destructive insects. But 

 as we have been trying for some time to impress upon our rural and 

 farming population, certain facts about house-fly control, this seemed 

 to be the opportunity to press home some of these facts in a telling way. 



In preparing the exhibit, w^e had in mind the fact that fly elimination 

 on the farm is extremely difficult, and that especial attention must also 

 be given to sanitary arrangements, as well as to actual fly control in 

 order to prevent disease transmission. Sanitation has been sadly 

 neglected on most Minnesota farms, but the more progressive farmers 

 are awakening to its necessity and are ready for suggestions. 



The exhibit was called, "The Flyless Farm." A farmstead about 

 10 X 15 feet was laid out. The Division of Farm Management was 

 called upon to advise as to the proper relation of the buildings, and the 

 Division of Engineering for plans for the buildings. The entire ex- 

 hibit was, therefore, correct in every detail and in accordance with 

 the recommendations which the Experiment Station is sending out to 

 farmers. 



For the actual construction of the buildings, etc., we were fortunate 

 in securing the services of one of our students, who is unusually apt at 

 mechanical work. " Compo-board " served admirably as constructive 

 material. The buildings were so made as to be collapsible and easily 

 packed for transportation. They were of large size, built to a scale of 

 one-half inch, the house for example being 14 x 15 inches, and the horse 

 barn 18 x 25 inches, so that every detail could be practically perfect. 

 This accuracy of details fixed the attention of many observers. A 

 large green painted canvas covered the table on which the exhibit was 

 placed, with the roadways marked out in gray. 



