50 N. J. Mosquito Extermination Association 



this commission itself has drained, during the season of 1919, many 

 swamps and bogs and abandoned ponds, and dug over 12 miles of 

 new ditches and cleaned miles of old ones in the uplands, while on 

 the salt meadows, beside installing several tide and emergency gates, 

 it has dug 39,923 feet of new ditches and cleaned 366,295 feet of old 

 ones; 16,413 gallons of oil were spread in the uplands as against 

 6,969 gallons in the salt-marsh section. It is the theory of the com- 

 mission that drainage as a permanent proposition, is more effective 

 as a means of mosquito extermination and in the long run less 

 costly than by the temporary and continuous method of oiling. 



Under the enforcement of the rule in class 2, it is not only with 

 satisfaction, but with real pleasure that this commission is able to 

 report that in every instance, and they were many, the owners of 

 the numerous mill-ponds and other privately owned water-controlled 

 areas, as well as the commissioners of the county park system of 

 lakes, have all without fear, threat or compulsion responded to the 

 demand of this commission and have either cleaned out, controlled, 

 filled in or abandoned water conditions in which mosquitoes were 

 breeding, at their own cost under the supervision of the commission. 



As to the result of operation of the rule in class 3, it is also 

 gratifying to report that in all the various changes to the drainage 

 system on the salt marshes, made necessary by the reconstruction of 

 railway roadbeds ; the building of new industrial plants, the ex- 

 tension of city streets and many other causes, the beneficial work of 

 the commission has been recognized, and a desire shown to cooperate 

 with it in the furtherance of its duty. 



Under this rule, 5,500 feet of 36-inch new ditches were dug and a 

 new tide-gate installed by this commission in cooperation with the 

 United States Quartermaster's Department and the Emergency Fleet 

 Corporation, caused by the damage to the drainage system, the cost 

 of which, amounting to $1,581.06, was repaid to this commission 

 jointly by them. 



In the uplands, a similar spirit was shown by the property owners 

 in all cases where joint responsibility existed. 



The following experimental work of this commission has been 

 conducted and proven satisfactory. 



The grasses and high weeds on the salt marshes are being cut on 

 both sides of the ditches and thrown back. This cutting is com- 

 menced at the end of the growing season so that one cutting is suffici- 

 ent. Its object is to prevent the vegetable growth from falling into 



