Environment: S.M.E.LL.S. v. Smells

Trees shade the streets, there are barbecue pits in the backyards, grassy hills sweep close to the town. In short, Hartford, Wis., would seem to be a pleasant place in which to live. Unfortunately, it has one dreadful drawback. Come late summer, the place stinks.

The stink is more than just nose-wrinkling. It is bad enough to make some people retch in the street. Outdoor parties are canceled, and people retreat to their houses, shutting the windows and turning on the air conditioners.

Offensive odors are the most difficult to control of all environmental plagues. They can be overpowered with a deodorant or...

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