Proci:e:dings 01^ Fii^TH Annuai. meeting 



II 



now acknowledge that there may be something' to mosquito con- 

 trol after all. There must be a reason for this changed public 

 opinion and that reason, fewer mosquitoes. With our new and 

 powerful ally, the public, more and more on our side, we look 

 with favorable anticipation toward the future. So' it is with 

 pleasure that I stand before this organization to-day to explain 

 briefly to you why it is that the Bergen County mosquito is, we 

 believe, prepiaring tO' sing her swan song. 



Mo'squiito' control in Bergen County is of a two- fold nature, 

 namely salt-marsh and upland. We have within the confines of 

 our boundaries 8,300 acres O'f salt marsh and a total county area 

 of 264 square miles. We have had the stupendous: task of drain- 

 ing a salt-marsh, which bred throughout, and at the same time 

 giving relief to the upland. 'During the first twO' years we were 

 compelled to devote most of our energies to the salt-marsh men- 

 ace. Our meadows were inundated and tO' work on them seemed 

 a hopeless task. 



Within the brief space of twO' years we had placed over 125 

 miles of loi by 30'-inch ditching; had protected a badly sunken 

 meadow with a great dike 6,200 feet in length, and had installed 

 tide-gates in two large creeks. The efficiency of our work is 

 about to undergo a severe test," but we do fiot fear the result. The 

 system which we have installed both on the salt marsh and on 

 the inland is of strong foundation. We realize that we must 

 still work and work hard, perhaps; harder than in previous years, 

 but we know that we have more than an even chance O'f success 

 and that is all we ask. 



During those first two years we were compelled to subordinate 

 work 00 the upland tO' the salt marsh, but now with the salt- 

 marsh work SO' well advanced, we are pushing our inland cam- 

 paign to the limit. The best proof of the soundness of this work 

 is the fact that the people and the officials O'f most towns are 

 with us, even to the extent of giving financial assistance. Many 

 towns are meeting our organization on a half -cost basis to clean 

 up mosquito breeding spots within the limits of their community. 

 In this way we not only receive additional money with which to 

 work, but better still, we obtain the interest of the community 



