REPORT ON MOSQUITOES. 449 



inforcement of the supply from other points. Mr. Brehme's 

 explorations, aided by those of Mr. Grossbeck, show that along 

 the Arthur Kill there is very little salt marsh just north of Perth 

 Amboy, and that the Staten Island shore just opposite is also 

 highland and not dangerous as a mosquito supply. To the south- 

 east the shores are good except for a small area near Morgan and, 

 as a whole, the population along the banks of the Raritan derives 

 its mosquito supply from the salt marsh area within five miles of 

 its mouth. There are few territories so favorably located for 

 practical work and to determine what was needed I assigned 

 Messrs. Wagner and Mellor to make a careful survey of the 

 breeding area with the view of determining what work was neces- 

 sary to make it safe. They were given the marked maps pre- 

 pared by Mr. Grossbeck, but were instructed to extend it as 

 needed if it seemed in any way incomplete. During their survey . 

 the marshes were flooded by storm and tide, and one of the heav- 

 iest broods of recent years developed ; so it is fair to suppose that 

 they found the limit. At all events no more recent examinations 

 have extended it. 



The reports presented are brief and to the point. They are 

 given herewith with the maps which show what ditching is re- 

 quired. 



At a liberal estimate the marsh work, assuming that the ditch- 

 ing machine can be secured for use, should not exceed $5,000. As 

 the benefits will be shared by a population exceeding 50,000, the 

 outlay seems small, divided as it should be, between New Bruns- 

 wick, Perth and South Amboy, Metuchen and the minor inter- 

 vening towns that would be improved by the work. 



Report on SoutJi and Perth Amboy. 



In the map of this territory which we submit we have embodied our sug- 

 gestions as to what might be done towards doing away with mosquito-breed- 

 ing. Those places which we found good we have left unm.irked. Those 

 which we found bad we recommended for ditching, where ditching was pos- 

 sible. The ditches we have drawn in red ink. The length of each one is 

 stated, its direction indicated, and its position with reference to some given 

 point, so that, with the aid of the map, whatever we had in mind can be fol- 

 lowed without difficulty. It remains to state the reasons for our suggestions : 



(i) In the territory marked (A), between the Central railroad bridge and 

 the new Amboy bridge, there are a number of individual depressions in the 

 soil, some near the river front, others farther back. Rain collects here, and 

 the overflow from very high tides. In each case we have drawn ditches 

 straight to the river. These will give rain-water a chance to flow off, and also 

 water from high tides an opportunity to get back. 



(2) In territory (B) the depression is more general. Heavy rains form a 

 large amount of surface water. We have drawn ditches to lead this into the 

 creek shown on the map. We have also noted that two old ditches (shown 

 on the map) be connected and given a better flow. 



29 MOS 



