328 POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY 



'kill/ on both sides of which salt marsh flats extend for a mile or 

 more to the highland. The southern and eastern shore is a continua- 

 tion of the New Jersey coast line from the mouth of the Raritan 

 River, and like it has a number of indentations more or less bordered 

 by salt marsh areas. On all these marshes mosquitoes bred in un- 

 counted millions and spread throughout the island. Result: several 

 square miles of most desirable territory for suburban residences entirely 

 unsettled. There are two shore resorts, South Beach and Midland 

 Beach, feeble imitations of Coney Island in some directions, but more 

 desirable in others, that just maintained themselves despite their at- 

 tractions. During the day conditions were tolerable along shore, but 

 as soon as the sun was low in the horizon trouble began, and as it 

 became dusk the fight began, and pleasure seekers sought shelter 

 behind screens or started for home. 



This past summer, under the supervision of Dr. A. H. Doty, state 

 quarantine officer, the salt marshes have been drained in the manner 

 advocated by me, and the beginning was made on the eastern and 

 southern shores, where Midland and South Beach are situated. I 

 need hardly say that very few believed in good results, and scepticism 

 was general even in circles where we might have expected material 

 support But we got the needed money, secured a contractor within 

 our estimate, and the eastern and southern shore work was done before 

 the breeding season set in. 



Result: there have been very few mosquitoes of any kind, and 

 practically no marsh mosquitoes along this shore during the entire 

 season. Visitors stayed longer and came more frequently to both 

 beaches, which enjoyed a season of unparalleled prosperity, taxing the 

 full capacity of the transportation companies. As the season advanced, 

 the drainage work extended farther and farther away from the popu- 

 lated sections, permanent residents began to notice that nobody was 

 putting in screens, and that screened porches were never used. On the 

 golf links games could be carried on while the light lasted, and out- 

 door dinners and suppers became the rule at the Country Club. When 

 it was fully realized that there was practically no mosquito pest, and 

 the improvement in the character of the drained territory was obvious, 

 there was a change in public sentiment. Plans were made for extend- 

 ing the attractions at the beaches, and many thousands will be put into 

 new amusement enterprises during the present winter. Land values 

 stiffened and very little was offered for sale. 



Two industrial enterprises decided to locate on the marsh area On 

 the west of the island, and these are expected to employ, respectively, 

 4,000, and 6,000 men, most of whom will undoubtedly settle near-by. 

 These enterprises will result in actually reclaiming a large section of 

 the marsh, which is something that mosquito drainage does not and 

 was not intended to accomplish. 



