MOSQUITO INVESTIGATION IN NEW JERSEY. 281 



THE MOSQUITO INVESTIGATION IN NEW JEESEY. 



By Professor JOHN B. SMITH, Sc.D., 



RTTGERS COLLEGE. 



WHEN, a few years ago, it began to be generally realized that 

 mosquitoes besides being sources of annoyance, were also dan- 

 gerous to life and health because of their relation to certain diseases, 

 the question of whether or not control or even practical extermination 

 was feasible beo-an to be seriously considered. Not until then was 

 it realized how little was actually known of these pests and that, 

 as a matter of fact, only a few species had been followed throughout 

 their entire life cycle. It was assumed that all the species of the same 

 genus had approximately the same life bistory, that the adults had 

 practically identical habits, that what had proved successful in one 

 locality would answer as well in all others, and that each locality with 

 sufficient energy might secure exemption for itself. 



The little book on 'Mosquitoes' by Dr. L. 0. Howard, issued in 1901, 

 summarizing what was then known, was published at the psychological 

 moment and exerted an enormous influence. Mosquito brigades were 

 formed, and improvement and other societies began work enthusias- 

 tically. New Jersey has always had something of a reputation in the 

 mosquito line and at several points active work was begun. There 

 were not wanting those that lacked faith, however, and there was 

 abundant ridicule for those engaged in the work which, by the way, 

 did not turn out as well as had been expected. We had now three 

 classes in the state — the unbelievers and scoffers who were in the vast 

 majority; the enthusiasts who believed firmly in local work, who 

 formed a small but powerful minority, and a yet smaller class who 

 thought that there might be a chance to get money out of it and who 

 urged improvements that they might be engaged to carry out. 



As the entomologist of the Agricultural Experiment Station, as 

 well as in his capacity of state entomologist, the writer followed some 

 of this early work, rather as a sceptic than otherwise; but after a 

 season's observation found reason to believe that while eventual success 

 in the direction of mosquito control could probably be obtained, the 

 factors of the problem were not understood and that much work and 

 money was being wasted or misapplied. The danger was that if failure 

 resulted through ignorance the entire movement might be discredited 

 and delayed. 



VOL. LXVI. — 19. 



