12 N. J. Mosquito Extermination Association 



adequate yearly appropriation from the Legislature in order that the 

 drainage of the marshes may be completed within a reasonable per- 

 iod. 



The solution of the physical problem met in the mosquito drainage 

 of the marshes is comparatively simple. We know that 300 linear 

 feet of iox30-inch ditches to the acre, or their equivalent, will satis- 

 factorily drain 75 per cent or more of the meadows. On a small per 

 cent of the area, sluices, tide-gates and dikes are necessary. 



The cost of completing the initial drainage of the salt marshes,, 

 is known, too. We feel reasonably sure that, at the present prices, 

 the job can be finished for $1,000,000 or less; that is, an annual- 

 appropriation of from $150,000 to $170,000 by the state, in addi- 

 tion to what the counties are already spending would enable us 

 to complete the work in five years. 



The only difficult part of New Jersey's mosquito problem is thus^ 

 the human one of convincing our legislators that it is good business 

 for the state to spend $1,000,000 or less, to open the way for an 

 increase in taxable values within the state of approximately 500' 

 million dollars. It is to the solution of this human side of the mos- 

 quito problem that this organization should bend its efiforts. 



In addition to cutting 1,099,117 feet of new salt-marsh ditches 

 during the past year, the county commissions have maintained some 

 I3?037j975 ^^^^ of ditching previously cut. The commissions have 

 also built some new tide-gates and dikes during the past fiscal year. 



On October 31, 191 9 (the date of the last county reports) the 

 condition of the salt-marsh mosquito-control work throughout the 

 state could have been summarized as follows : Mosquito breeding 

 had been eliminated, subject to upkeep of ditches, dikes, tide-gates 

 and pumps on some 100,000 acres of marsh. To drain these 100,000 

 acres sufficiently to prevent breeding there had been cut over 14,- 

 367,166 linear feet of ditches 10 inches wide and 30 inches deep, or 

 their equivalent; 84,320 feet of dike, and 81 sluices and tide-gates,, 

 with a total cross-section area of 932 square feet had been built 

 and one 4-to-6 and one 12-inch centrifugal pump had been installed. 



In addition to the salt-marsh work the county commissions have- 

 carried on a large amount of fresh- water mosquito-control work, 

 of both a temporary and a permanent character, and approximately 

 320,000 acres of upland have been patrolled. Many fresh-water 

 swamps, and other bad breeding places have been permanently elim- 

 inated by drainage or filling. 



