630 



Journal of Agriculture, Victor 



[10 Oct., 1917. 



affects so great a number of people in all countries, both by significance 

 and effect, as tlie disease-carrying capacity of the common house fly." 



Domesticated animals suffer very severely from the annoying atten- 

 tions given them by flies. Horses are specially singled out for attack, 

 and, in consequence, " ticklish " or " touchy " horses are frequently 

 rendered unmanageable. The trouble is accentuated should an unfor- 

 tunate animal suffer from any form of open wound. A pitiable sight 

 indeed is that of a horse being persistently tortured through flies sucking 

 at the tender surface of girth or saddle gall. Cows with sore teats 

 suffer in the same way. It is recommended that such sores be dressed 

 with carbolic oil two or three times a day, which, in addition to its 

 healing properties, will keep the pest from the wounds. Individual 

 attention is required in endeavouring to eft'eetively handle the pest. In 

 India, the semi-civili-zed native has been brought to believe that he 

 deserves the title of dung-eater if he permits his food to be contaminated 



hoks on fop 



Sketch of Fly Trap 



by flies. The name to be given to the civilized man, who is indifferent 

 to the ravages of the fly, is difiicult to find and is pro^bahly unprintable. 



In America, the fly eradication movement is rapidly gaining ground, 

 and little doubt remains that, when the public clearly realizes the danger 

 of infection, zealous action will be taken by every householder. It is 

 most imiJortant that all breeding places should be abolished, and dust- 

 bins, earth closets, and refuse of all kinds, especially portions of meat, 

 fish, friiit, and vegetables, should be rendered inaccessible to the fly. 

 Yards and outbuildings should be kept in a state of scrupulous cleanli- 

 ness, so that likely breeding places cannot possibly be overlooked. Special 

 attention should be paid to the stable and cowshed; manure should be 

 removed therefrom as often as possible. Milk spilt on the cowshed 

 floor should be immediately washed off. Manure heaps should be 

 sprayed with a solution of 8 oz. sodium arsenate to 20 gallons of water. 

 Mr. R. J. Smith, in 1911, demonstrated that formalin with the addi- 

 tion of sweet milk, is very attractive to flies, and proves an excellent 



