VOLUNTARY FLY-REDUCTION 78 



proceeding. The public mind has its moments of 

 enthusiasm similar to that of the individual, but it 

 becomes easily tired and forgetful. It may be an easy 

 matter for one philanthropist or one conscientious 

 worker to raise sufficient funds to start an anti-fly 

 campaign in one town ; but after the lapse of a few 

 years he may pass on to other places or other pursuits, 

 and then the project is in danger of disappearing. Or 

 a town may be cleansed of flies in this way, and a new 

 generation will spring up which knows not flies and 

 their depredations, and it will forget to subscribe, it 

 will doubt the necessity, and will refuse to pay; the 

 good work will cease and the flies will surely return. 

 But if public subscription is the only course which can 

 be adopted it is best carried out as follows. Advertise 

 that the fly-campaign has arrived at a stage where its 

 sphere of influence can be extended. Write to the 

 press, giving the history of the measures which have 

 already been adopted for the reduction of flies. State 

 the results obtained, and give details of the extent of 

 the operations suggested. Institute public lectures, 

 distribute printed bills describing these points. Talk 

 about it, write about it, and ask others to do the same. 

 Then open a subscription list. If possible, ask the 

 mayor, the members of the corporation, the bankers, the 

 postmaster, and others to assist. The doors of Charity 

 should be easily opened for such a good cause. Interest 

 the employers of labour, the large trading houses, the 

 doctors, the local exploiting companies, and all likely 

 subscribers. But let careful accounts be kept of the 

 money subscribed. Balance sheets must be published 

 regularly and sent to all subscribers. 



But fly-reduction by public subscription is a course 

 that is not advised unless it is impossible to continue 



