Proceedings of Eighth Annual Meeting 9 



Really, I did not pull this off to secure your attention to my tale. 

 Rather as an object lesson in anti-mosquito work. 



As an entrant on the field of human" industry, the first duty I 

 recall having been assigned me, was to build, with chips, smudges 

 in an iron kettle, before our log cabin door, that the family might 

 enjoy somewhat of comfort by day and restful sleep by night. 



Tallow dips, the only method of lighting by night, were tabooed. 



The cause for the pioneers troubles and annoyance could have 

 been found in a nearby rain barrel, a neglected gutter or a stagnant 

 pool. 



But pioneers could scarcely be blamed. They had limited access 

 to books. 



Possibly they may have seen such as were said to have been read 

 by a professional friend. 



When I endeavored to interest him in mosquito work, he said: 

 ^'You can never destroy mosquitoes. They breed in all grass and 

 shrubbery." 



But, I said, the first six days of his existence, he is an aquatic 

 insect, and can only live in water. 



He assured me that he was right, for he had seen it in the books. 



I did not question his veracity. If such books are really in print, 

 they should be barred from the mails and shelves, as other licentious 

 matter. 



You will be interested to know that he has since become an ardent 

 advocate of the work, and supports annually by his vote, liberal 

 appropriations to the cause. 



As for the schools at that early period, they were occupied prin- 

 cipally with the three Rs. 



Economics, hygiene, sanitation, and other subjects, knowledge of 

 which make life enjoyable or miserable, as the case may be, had not 

 yet found their way into school books. 



And here is where the "Hammering" comes in for the makers 

 of copy-books and the more modern typewriter instruction books. 



In Conclusion 



We are to be congratulated on the world interest being taken in 

 the extermination of insects generally. 



The first step in Americanization is delousing the immigrant. 



From personal observation, I would say, return some of them for 

 their first lesson. 



The mosquito propaganda should be the follow-up course. 



