194 N. J. Agricultural Experiment Station, Bulletin 348 



It is my intention to devote some time during the present season to an 

 investigation of the mosquito question as it exists at the present time in 

 New Jersey. The recently established connection between malaria and mos- 

 quitoes makes this matter important from the sanitary standpoint and gives 

 it a direct bearing upon the health of the community. For this reason I have 

 asked the cooperation of the State Board of Health and have received from 

 its secretary, Dr. Henry Mitchell, cordial assurance of support. 



It is necessary, however, to make my work complete, that I should also 

 enlist the cooperation of local boards throughout the state; therefore I beg 

 3'ou for information on the following points : 



1. Is "malaria" a prevalent disease within your jurisdiction; i. e. are the 

 cases at all numerous ? 



2. If cases are numerous, are they localized, or are they scattered through- 

 out the community? 



3. Is one case apt to be followed by others close by? 



4. Are mosquitoes numerous in your jurisdiction, and if so, are they gen- 

 erally spread or is one part of the district more infested than others? 



5. Have you observed any relation between the abundance of mosquitoes 

 and the prevalence of malaria? 



6. If mosquitoes are plentiful can you tell where they breed? 



7. Will you send me from time to time specimens of the troublesome mos- 

 quitoes in your jurisdiction? I will supply as many vials as are needed, and 

 will be glad to give whatever information is desired as to methods of col- 

 lecting and preserving. 



8. Any further information bearing on the above matters is desired and 

 will be appreciated. 



It may be added that the information obtained will not be published in 

 such a way as to prejudice any particular locality; but is necessary to estab- 

 lish facts and relations. It is also to be used as a basis for recommending 

 measures to mitigate or locally abolish the mosquito pest. 

 Awaiting your early and, I hope, full reply, I am. 

 Very truly yours, 



JOHN B. SMITH, 

 Entomologist to the Experiment Station and State Entomologist. 



In the same year the South Orange Improvement Association, un- 

 der the leadership of Spencer Miller, initiated a local campaign 

 against the pests and secured Dr. L. O. Howard, chief of the Bureau 

 of Entomology, to lecture in South Orange on that subject on May 

 16, 1901. Following this lecture the South Orange Improvement 

 Association carried on a campaign throughout that season and each 

 .season following until the work was taken up on a broader basis. 



In the me'antime interest in mosquito control had made its ap- 

 pearance among the residents of the north shore of Long Island. 

 This interest seems largely to have been stimulated by the work of 

 Henry Clay Weeks and to have involved William J. Matheson, Paul 

 D. Gravath, C. B. Davenport and others. 



