Proceedings of Sixth Annual Meeting 123 



ally, economically and legally responsible for mosquito control on 

 a targe scale. 



When we approach our overworked appropriation committee, we 

 are told that the aggregate of appropriations asked for is over 

 fifteen million dollars, and the amount available is between eight 

 and nine million, and somebody has to be disappointed. Some of 

 the members have admitted the importance and accruing benefits 

 of the work, but say the job is so big and so good, that we ought 

 to have $100,000! But that not being possible, the small sum of 

 $15,000 might as well.be left out altogether! Leaving us with the 

 same inspiration the "charming daughter had after she had hung 

 her clothes on a hickory limb," but was not allowed to go near the 

 water. From the way our appropriations have been increased during 

 the past few years, the little girl on the bank will have sadly out- 

 grown her clothes before being permitted a hundred thousand 

 dollar swim. 



Much more work has to be done, apparently, before the average 

 legislator realizes the enormous resort and agricultural develop- 

 ment that awaits the elimination of the mosquito, and unfortunately 

 where the mosquitoes are the thickest the voters are fewest, and 

 the ear of the politician is attuned to the more populous districts. 



Our greatest problem is to enlighten and convert the people, 

 greater by far than the mosquito problem. We can conquer the in- 

 sect, without doubt, but the human takes time and patience. 



It seemis to me the Association's greatest task just now is a 

 campaign of publicity. The average person does not know enough 

 about the work and does not realize the necessity nor the possibil- 

 ities. Once we get the majority to know as much as we think we 

 know, then we will get the money to "carry on," and enough of it, 

 so we can see the mosquitoless promised land through a telescope 

 held the right way. 



Are we over-enthusiastic? Are we a set of fanatics on the sub- 

 ject of destroying mosquitoes, is it hopeless in its entirety, and are 

 we wasting our time and money ? 



I do not think there is necessity for argument on this subject 

 here, for we have all passed any stage of doubt regarding the mis- 

 sion we are on, and the ease with which a convert is made, once 

 we get him on the meadows with us, shows that the work has a 



