646 NEW JERSEY AGRICULTUKAL COLLEGE 



''At the northwest comer of Washington and King- streets the 

 ruins of the carpet mill enclose a large pool of water which is nnin- 

 habited by natural enemies of mosquitoes of any kind. This body 

 of water, though free from mosquito larvae at the time of investi- 

 gation, is, nevertheileiss, subject to their invasion, and will undoubt- 

 edly harbor millions of individuals before the end of the season. 

 This place can be easily drained into the Rancocas creek by an 

 open ditch and the area thijs made safe. Between the mill and 

 Washington street the land is low and wet and in times of con- 

 tinual rains will become dangerous. Therefore a ditch should be 

 made to connect with the one to drain the pool just mentioned 

 which will render this place dry at all times. 



''There are five wooden railroad bridges crossing the Rancocas 

 creek and at each of these are several barrels sunk into^ thc' earth 

 and filled with water. Most of these were swarming with mos- 

 quitoes in all stages from egg boats to pupae, and freshly-emerged 

 adults Avere to be seen resting on the surface of the water. In one 

 of these barrels were found, also, a number of larvae of the malaria- 

 carrying species (Anopheles) . Tightly screening these barrels so 

 as to prevent the entrance of adults would be the best remedy, but 

 this recommendation may be difficult to carry out since it partially 

 destroys the purpose of the barrels. Petrolizing, i. e., pouring 

 crude petroleum on the water, is the next best thing that can be 

 done, but this will have to be repeated at intervals of a week or ten 

 days. This is a very effective method for killing the larvse since 

 it shuts off their only means of obtaining air, but on account of the 

 liability of its being neglected or procrastinated it is not recom- 

 mended except when no permanent method is possible. 



"There is a small area south of the railroad station south of 

 Washington street which, though quite safe, will breed Anopheles 

 and CuU'x temtmis in small numbers. This place should be 

 drained by a few ditches into the creek. 



"In the meadow at the foot of Bisphani street, between the rail- 

 road and the creek, and known as Parson's meadows, are several 

 small ditches which widen out at places forming shallows with a 

 luxuriant growth of water vegetation. These are ideal breeding 

 places for Anopheles mosquitoes. All these ditches should be deep- 

 ened and the edges kept clear from vegetable growth, thus giving 

 the water a free circulation and incidentally giving ready access to 

 the small fish which are numerous in the nearby creek. 



