The Water Garden and the Mosquito Problem 145 



to adopt either of these methods, cover the surface of the water with kerosene 

 oil, thus cutting off the supply of air from the larvae and smothering them. 



But what shall we do with the water garden, which appears so perfectly 

 suited for raising mosquitoes? Shall we fill it up, drain it off", or pour oil 

 upon its troubled waters ? If his pond should prove as great a source of 

 pleasure to the reader as mine has been to me, he will be loath to adopt any 

 of these radical measures. Repeated and diligent search had failed to 

 reveal the presence of any mosquito larv^ in my pond, and this seemed 

 all the more strange when, in the quiet waters of the brook not fifty 

 feet away, I discovered thousands of active "wigglers. " Reflecting upon 

 this fact, it seemed probable that the goldfish were holding the mosqui- 

 toes in check in the pond, while in the brook the insects were breeding 

 in comparative safety. 



To test the correctness of this theory, I took two small goldfish from the 

 pond and placed them in an aquarium where they could feed upon mosquito 

 larv£e and be under observation. The result was as anticipated. Whenever 

 they were dropped into the water the "wigglers" disappeared in short order. 



When it is once understood that goldfish are useful, as well as orna- 

 mental and comparatively hardy, it is to be hoped that they will be introduced 

 into many small bodies of water, such as lily ponds and water gardens, 

 where mosquitoes are likely to breed. In my experience, these fish can easily 

 be reared in any sheltered pond where the water is shoal and warm. 



What country town is there that does not have some swamps containing 

 pools that are difficult and perhaps impossible to drain ? Where it is possible, 

 let every swamp be drained ; but let no hasty judgment condemn and banish 

 all quiet country pools, for many of them, by proper treatment, can be 

 improved, and made not only wholesome but charming features of beauty 

 in the landscape. 



