Historic Pelham Blog Archive
December 24, 2007

350TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION BOOK:  "THOMAS PELL AND THE LEGEND OF THE PELL TREATY OAK" -- $11.95 (PROCEEDS AFTER PRINTING COSTS WILL GO TO BARTOW-PELL MANSION MUSEUM).  CLICK HERE TO BROWSE BEFORE YOU BUY! LEARN MORE.

I previously have posted to the Historic Pelham Blog an odd item about the efforts of famed illustrator Edward Penfield to eradicate mosquitoes in Pelham Manor during the 1920s. See:

Wednesday, April 27, 2005: Edward Penfield of Pelham Manor - Famous Illustrator and . . . Mosquito Exterminator???

I since have located a magazine article authored and illustrated by Edward Penfield that was published in December, 1923. The text of the article as well as its two illustrations appear below, followed by a citation to their source.

"Art and Science Combine in a Village Campaign Against Mosquitoes

PELHAM MANOR, NY.Y.

An unceasing war against mosquitoes has been waged in Pelham Manor for several years, as a result of which it was found this past summer that the pests had been practically eliminated from the village. The first definite steps towards mosquito control were taken in 1918, at which time the insects were so numerous throughout the community as to make outdoor summer life almost an impossibility. During several previous years the writer had personally taken up the study of scientific methods of mosquito control. The literature from the State Board of Health emphasized the fact that the most effective way to get rid of mosquitoes is to drain and keep drained all deposits of stagnant water. Contrary to the belief of many people, the sprinkling of oil on stagnant water does not actually poison the insects. If it is sprayed in a thin layer on a pool, it will retard breding, by suffocating the 'wigglers' as they come to the surface for air; but a slight breeze will blow the oil to one side, and breeding will continue in the clear space.

With this knowledge in hand, the President and Board of Trustees of Pelham Manor were appealed to, but no immediate action was taken. The problem was then brought to the attention of the local Women's Club, and it was arranged that the writer should give short talks on the subject of mosquito control at the weekly meetings of the club. These talks were aided considerably by a map showing the breeding places in the community and a number of colored cartoons, two of which are reproduced herewith. In a short time enough members were sufficiently interested to form a committee to make a second appeal to the village authorities. This resulted in appropriating the sum of $300 for mosquito elimination work.

The first year showed a great diminishing in the number of mosquitoes, and this ultimately led to a demand by the voters that a large drain be built through the most trouble- [Page 577 / Page 578] some section of the community. An appropriation of $2,000 was then made for the ditching, draining and oiling of the low lands. This work was laid out be an engineer, who indicated the levels and the right locations and directions for the ditches. All land that could not be drained has been filled in, and oil is sprayed on all catch-basins every four days during the summer months.

The residents of Pelham Manor are cooperating by keeping their property clean and free from any receptacle in which water may lodge. They also see that no water collects in the gutters on the eaves of their houses, keep their rain barrels covered, and, in fact, do everything possible to assist in the campaign against mosquitoes.

EDWARD PENFIELD.

Street Commissioner.

Source: Penfield, Edward, Art and Science Combine in a Village Campaign Against Mosquitoes in The American City Magazine, Vol. XXIX July-December, 1923, pp. 577-78 (NY, NY: The Civic Press, 1923) (Containing Vol. XXIX, No. 6, Dec. 1923 of the Magazine in bound volume).

[No Caption Beneath Illustration]

[Caption Beneath Illustration Reads: "PELHAM MANOR, N.Y. IS FORTUNATE IN HAVING AS ITS STREET COMMISSIONER A MAN OF PRACTICAL IDEAS WHO IS ALSO A NOTED ARTIST, THE ORIGINATOR OF THE POSTER IN AMERICA"]

Source of Both Images: Id., p. 577.

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posted by Blake A. Bell @ 4:36 AM Comment

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