Life — April 16, 1908 — page 13: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This is a satirical map-style illustration titled "LIFE" depicting an agricultural landscape organized as a humorous social commentary. The cartoon shows various labeled sections including "WELCOME," "ARMY WORMS," "GRUBS," "CATERPILLARS," "SLUGS," "HOTH," "ALL MAIL BENEFACTORS," and references to "TOMATO MOTHS." The illustration appears to satirize gardening and pest management, personifying insects and agricultural pests as distinct communities or populations. Three human figures (appearing to be gardeners wearing hats) are positioned centrally, seemingly surveying or managing this insect-populated landscape. The text mentions "MR AND MRS. GARDENER" and references to "SEEDS, ETC." and "ENTHUSIASTIC NATIVES," suggesting this mocks the challenges gardeners face battling multiple pest species simultaneously. The satire critiques the complexity of maintaining a productive garden against numerous destructive insects.