No. 4.] DRAINAGE PROJECTS. 105 



extremely prevalent, frequently terminating fatally. As «the 

 timber was removed and the land drained there has been a 

 steady decrease in the number of cases of malaria. With the 

 thorough drainage of sections of these lands malaria has been 

 practically eradicated. While the drainage of the swamps in 

 Massachusetts might not materially benefit the public health, 

 it certainly would add much to the pleasure and comfort of 

 the population by the eradication of the mosquito. This 

 would be particularly true of the tidal marshes. During the 

 past few years your State has been widely advertised as a 

 delightful place to spend the summer, especially those sections 

 bordering on the bay. The complete eradication of the mos- 

 quito would undoubtedly add materially to the attractiveness 

 of your beautiful State. In some of the eastern States drain- 

 age has been undertaken for the sole purpose of eradicating 

 the mosquito. 



Incidental to the drainage of lands for agricultural purpose, 

 it sometimes happens that these lands become highly desirable 

 for industrial purposes. The Newark meadows in New Jersey 

 are an example of a development of this character. These 

 lands have been a plague spot to the State for years, and con- 

 siderable sums of money have been expended in attempting to 

 eradicate the mosquito. At the present time much of this land 

 is being reclaimed, not for agricultural uses as originally in- 

 tended, but to afford sites for industrial enterprises. Reclama- 

 tion of land for either agricultural, sanitary or industrial pur- 

 poses is a direct benefit to the State on account of the increased 

 value of the property after it is drained, and also as affording 

 a means of livelihood for increased population. 



Organization. 



In undertaking a work which has for its objects the improve- 

 ment of your agricultural lands and the general welfare of the 

 State, it must be evident that an efiicient organization is as 

 essential to the conduct along sound economic lines of such a 

 project as to the establishment of your commercial or indus- 

 trial enterprises on a sound business basis. The first attempts 

 at drainage were usually made by the individual landowner. 

 These attempts soon revealed the need for co-operation by 



