Appendix A. 67 



of so drying it out that whenever a rainfall occurred it would be al- 

 most immediately absorbed by the dry soil, and the spring water also 

 would be less exposed for breeding. Thus the results would be against 

 the very prevalent Culex as well as against the malaria-bearing Ano- 

 pheles. 



"Stringent rules as to depositing any old cans or other receptacles 

 of water along the edge of the uplands, as is now the practice, would 

 prevent breeding of mosquitoes from such artificial sources. And the 

 enforcement of existing rules as to rain barrels and the like around 

 all premises would complete the absolute freedom of the territory from 

 the mosquito, so injurious to all the interests of the section. 



"To accomplish this result, so far as the conditions of nature are 

 concerned, I make the following recommendations : 



"i. That Coney Island Creek and its inlets and all the adjacent 

 meadow lands, be placed under the condemnation of your Board. 



"2. That necessary steps be taken to secure the said Creek from 

 the effect of tidal inflows. 



"3. That, to accomplish the physical part of this recommendation, 

 automatic tide-gates, of the most effective construction, be placed at 

 each end of said Creek and as close to said ends as may be found 

 possible. (This was modified to one gate in final report.) 



"The operation of these recommendations would reduce the level 

 of the water in the enclosed parts of the Creek and its branches about 

 four feet, thus drying out the whole area, especially after the pools 

 shall be filled or opened out to the creeks. In case of a heavy rain- 

 fall, the surplus water, if any, which the dry marsh land would not 

 hold, would find its way into the creek and branches, and flow out to 

 sea automatically at the next low tide. The further effect of these 

 recommendations would be to so thoroughly dry out the far reaches 

 of these marshes as to make them at once firm enough to turn over 

 in cultivation, and would so dry out the whole area that it could 

 be brought under treatment for cultivation within a few weeks after 

 the water was so excluded. This now worse than worthless vast 

 stretch of territory, with its soil, fertile as is determined by the investi- 

 gations of the Division of Soils, United States Department of Agri- 

 culture, could thus become a garden spot for the present and later a 

 site for residences as the demand warranted. 



"This cutting off of Coney Island Creek could be the more easily 

 accomplished by reason of there now being bridges, some impassable 

 by vessels, against or near which the constructive works could be 

 erected. Nor would such cutting off of the creek ever interfere with the 

 proposed ship canal through this section, whenever it is determined to 

 build the same." 



Scandalous Breeding Places Easily Avoided. 



As pestiferous as are the conditions of these five hundred acres 

 referred to they are more excusable than many places in the centre of 

 Sheepshead Bay. For here, right in the streets, were found innumer- 

 able breeding places caused by clogged gutters and catch basins, stag- 



