470 AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION. 



THE WORK OF THE DRAINAGE COMMITTEE. 



1. In igoi we oiled every stagnant pool in the village. The mosquitoes were 

 so greatly reduced in numbers that we were satisfied that our supply was 

 chiefly of local origin. It was especially noticeable that they were very scarce 

 in houses in the fall. We expended about $i,ooo during the season, but not 

 a dollar for permanent improvement. 



2. In ig02 we did some draining, filling of holes and oiling what stagnant 

 water we could not abolish. The results were emphatic. We expended 

 about $1,200 — one-half of this sum was for permanent work. 



3. In 1903 we abolished more than half the wet places in the village, while 

 the Board of Health did the oiling. The eighteen days' continuous rain fall 

 in June and the twelve days' rain fall in August produced abundance of 

 mosquitoes in towns and villages where they are seldom seen. Towns normally 

 mosquitoless had a pest in 1903. South Orange suffered like the others, but 

 for a far shorter time than those towns where anti-mosquito measures were 

 not taken. We expended about $1,500 — mostly for permanent work. 



4. In 1904 we hope to complete the work of draining, filling and cleaning 

 up the remaining wet places in town. 



Our sewer system will be in use during the year, and the work of filling 

 up over 1,500 cesspools will begin. These cesspools have been generally 

 oiled, but many have escaped attention. They are great breeders of domestic 

 mosquitoes unless covered with oil. 



Our village trustees are now awake to the importance of caring for our 

 water-ways, and water from streets will not be allowed to pour int'o vacant 

 lots to form breeding places. 



The township authorities are keeping the east branch of the Railway river 

 cleaned out to its proper depth. They should also keep all street gutters 

 clean and free from standing water. Many property owners have done a 

 great deal of draining on their own account, and much more is promised. 



5. If we have abovit $2,000 to spend and an average Summer rain fall, we 

 confidently predict a smaller supply of mosquitoes in South Orange than 

 ever before. 



6. We have every reason 10 expect West Orange, Orange and East 

 Orange to join in the movement in 1904. Vailsburg and Maplewood may 

 also do something. Newark and Elizabeth have already begun drainage 

 work on the salt marshes. 



We desire a subscription from every householder in the village, however 

 small it may be. This work is for the benefit of all, and all should support 

 the movement. 



The improved appearance of our village, resulting from our work, should 

 entitle the committee to receive the support of the whole community. 

 Forward subscriptions to 



Mr. E. S. ALLEN, Treasurer, 



Scotland Road, SOUTH ORANGE, N. J. 



