20 Staten Island Association of Arts and Sciences 



; Another important problem^ which he undertook, and perhaps 

 the one for which he became best known, was that of mosquito 

 •extermination. Dr. L. O. Howard's book on the mosquito, issued 

 in 1900, contained much interesting information and created more 

 ■or less interest in the subject. In Professor Smith's report for 

 1901 the problem is described at some length and suggestions 

 made for investigating New Jersey conditions. As a result, a 

 law was passed in 1902 carrying an appropriation of $10,000 for 

 an investigation of the mosquito problem in the state. Under 

 this act Professor Smith became entomologist to the State Ex- 

 ■periment Station; assistants were appointed and a thorough in- 

 vestigation of the mosquitoes of the state was made. The results 

 of this work were given in a report published in 1905, cover- 

 ing 482 pages. Following this, appropriations were made by the 

 New Jersey Legislature in 1905 and in subsequent years for the 

 practical drainage of the salt marshes and similar mosquito con- 

 trol work. In this work Professor Smith was ably assisted by 

 Messrs. John A. Grossbeck and H. H. Brehme, and, up to and 

 including 1910, in addition to a considerable amount of work 

 'which had been carried on by local authorities, the state had aided 

 in the drainage of over 29,000 acres of salt marshes by means of 

 ,3,814,974 feet of ditching. 



In addition to those mentioned many other problems were taken 

 up, such as insects infesting vegetables and truck crops, those 

 infesting orchards and other fruits, insects attacking shade trees, 

 •etc., etc. 



In 1898 the law providing for the inspection of nurseries and 

 ■orchards was passed and under this law Professor Smith became 

 state entomologist. It was under this law that the writer became 

 assistant to Professor Smith, and it is to be noted that previous 

 to this time he had had no assistance, so that all the investigations 

 ■carried on had been wholly through his own efforts. 



These various activities brought Professor Smith in contact 

 with people in all parts of the state. As entomologist to the col- 

 lege station and state entomologist, he was constantly associated 



