54 Proceedings of the First Convention 



done to advantage only after extended studies have demon- 

 strated the advisability of certain courses. The time and 

 money expended by the specialist in solving these preliminary 

 problems is exceedingly well invested, and the saving result- 

 ing from his service should pay for the cost of his work many 

 times over. 



It must not be assumed that we know all about mosquitoes. 

 Much valuable work has already been done, but there is great 

 need in this State of a general biological survey of the more 

 important swamp areas, particularly those about large cities, 

 for the purpose of determining the places most prolific of mos- 

 quitoes and the times when they are most likely to appear. We 

 can do no better in this respect than to imitate to some extent 

 the course of our sister Commonwealth, New Jersey, which 

 would doubtless be very ready to co-operate so far as this 

 could be done to advantage. The effect of climate and other 

 conditions upon the abundance of these insects should be 

 carefully studied, since there is evidently considerable varia- 

 tion in this respect. The number of kinds or species occurring 

 in different areas should be determined, and their habits, pow- 

 ers of flight, etc., carefully ascertained. It has long been 

 known that there are various species of mosquitoes, but up 

 to recent years it has been assumed that relatively slight dif- 

 ferences in habits exist. In reality, there is a very great di- 

 vergence, and possession of this knowledge is a prerequisite to 

 effective economic work. 



These fundamental facts acquired, we are in position to de- 

 termine by experiment the best method of solving the problem 

 under various conditions. Every effort should be made to find 

 solutions which will result in the increased value of these 

 swamp lands paying very largely or entirely for the improve- 

 ment. In other words, aim wherever possible to make perma- 

 nent betterments which will pay for themselves and incident- 

 ally solve the mosquito problem. These extensive swamp 

 areas, if reclaimed, are near enough to New York, so that they 

 would have considerable value either for market garden pur- 

 poses, or, in the course of time, as residential areas. This 

 change can, in many instances, be brought about without ex- 

 cessive expenditure, by series of dykes and ditches, which 

 either shut out the water or provide for its prompt removal. 

 Certain wastes from this city are now being used to fill up low 



