378 HOME LIFE IN FLORIDA. 



We have heard, too, of large, light frames, with nets 

 stretched over them, under which the family sat to eat their 

 meals, to read, or to sew ; and these — were not in Florida. 



The coast regions of Florida are very attractive in many 

 ways ; the dancing blue billows are glorious to look upon, 

 and to sail over, the fresh salt air pleasant and invigorating, 

 the fish and oysters and clams yielded up in generous abun- 

 dance by the sparkling waters form no small items of home 

 comforts ; but — the mosquitoes ! 



They love the salt air too. From the beautiful, health- 

 ful shores of Charlotte Harbor comes the report, in re- 

 sponse to our inquiries : 



' ' We must confess that for several months of the year 

 the mosquitoes are very trying ; but we keep them at bay 

 pretty effectually with nets in our doors and windows, and 

 double nets over our beds. But this plague passes over; 

 and all the rest of the year it is so enjoyable here that we 

 forget the brief 'reign of terror' of the mosquito regime.^' 



And up from the Indian River country, on the opposite 

 coast, a voice reaches us, the voice of a new Florida house- 

 keeper : 



"We are passing through an age of mosquitoes; they 

 are almost unendurable for two or three months ; yet we 

 would rather have them, and do all our own work in addi- 

 tion, than deal with a willfully-obstinate ' human,' such as 

 we have often encountered in South Carolina." 



[It is not only the Florida "cooks" that try one's pa- 

 tience, you see.] 



But, whether few or many, mosquitoes can be readily 

 conquered by the use of the omnipotent insect-powder. 

 Putting a little of it in a paper cone, and setting fire to 

 it, is one way to clear a room, not only of mosquitoes, but 

 fleas and flies ; puffing the powder toward the walls and 

 ceilings is another way. 



