656 NEW JEESEY AGRICULTUEAL COLLEGE 



of the season in carrying on experiments looking to the introduction 

 of the top-minnow, (Gamhusia affinis), into tlie waters of New Jersey. 

 Later in the summer Mr. Grossbeck was detailed to take charge of the 

 office experiments in breeding and to assist in preparing the material 

 for the necessary reports. 



The character of the season was peculiar and, to a large extent, 

 determined the nature of the work. The early spring was very dry 

 all along shore, and there were no very high or storm tides; hence 

 the marshes dried out rapidly; the first brood of the migrating 

 forms was very small, and the usual second brood was reduced to a 

 minimum. Except in a few bad places, breeding w^as almost at a 

 standstill, until in late August and early September the drought was 

 broken, the marshes became water-soaked by storm tides and frequent 

 rains formed pools that bred out enormous numbers and flooded places 

 that had been practically exempt earlier in the year. 



In the woodland pools and large swamp areas the dry winter and 

 spring produced a condition so unfavorable to mosquito development 

 that not until after September did any considerable breeding take 

 place — in fact, not even then was there anything like a normal 

 output. 



Eeal droughty conditions did not exist equally in all parts of the 

 State; but after the drying out in spring the rains were never suf- 

 ficiently heavy or frequent to soak the gTound enough to permit the 

 formation of pools. 



The practical exemption of the shore resorts between June and late 

 August lessened interest in the mosquito problem, and little work 

 was done where it was most needed. Furthermore, the State law was 

 not passed until the estimates and appropriations of the various 

 municipalities had been made up and voted upon, so that few found 

 themselves in a position to take advantage of the aid that was offered. 

 The net result of the combination was that only one municipality — 

 Elizabeth — took advantage of the State aid proposition, and only $500 

 was used out of the appropriation of $4,000, leaving $3,500 to be 

 turned back into the State Treasury. 



The city of Newark had expended $5,000 during the year 1904, 

 and the board of health in that city was desirous of preventing 

 mosquito development within the city limits, if possible, so applica- 

 tion was made to the office for such inspections and information as 

 miffht be necessarv to attain that result. Mr. Brehme, was therefore 



