Proceedings of Eighth Annual Meeting 73 



Greater New York has been an active participant in the work of 

 mosquito extermination since the year 1903 to the present time. 



Doubtless there are a number attending this convention, who have 

 passed through the experimental stages of the anti-mosquito cam- 

 paign. Taking it for granted that the delegates at large are fully 

 conversant with the difficulties encountered, and overcome, during 

 this period of stress and hardship it is not my intention to insult 

 your intelligence by enlarging upon this phase of the work. 



The character of the work, and the methods employed are so well 

 known that we do not think it necessary to take up your time by a 

 ■descriptive detail. While many methods have been employed with 

 more or less success, it has been agreed by the authorities, that the 

 present methods employed are most economical to obtain the required 

 results ; namely, filling, ditching, and oiling, when necessity requires, 

 pending permanent improvement. 



The period between 1903 and 1905 was spent in experimentation, 

 with a view to determining the greater source of supply. Oil was 

 distributed promiscuously with indifferent results. Finally it was 

 learned that the salt marshes were responsible for the greater num- 

 ber of mosquitoes. 



In 1905 a contract was let, and the digging of ditches on the salt 

 marshes in Staten Island was commenced. 



The development of anti-mosquito work in Greater New York 

 absolutely depended upon the success of the initial work. Because 

 of the success of this work the authorities were assured that the 

 proposition was practical, and could be accomplished. The neces- 

 sary funds were appropriated, additional contracts were let, embrac- 

 ing all boroughs with the exception of Manhattan, and a permanent 

 force of mosquito exterminators established. At the present time 

 all the salt marshes have been drained in the city limits. 



Our work is largely augmented by the efforts of the regular san- 

 itary force of Inspectors, and is a part of their regular district work. 

 Local breeding is practically taken care of in this way under a sec- 

 tion of our sanitary code provided to cover the breeding of mos- 

 quitoes. 



We have been particularly successful in securing the co-operation 

 of the various civic associations, private interests, and realty oper- 

 ators throughout the city. 



As a result of our work we find that after a number of years the 

 drainage system as applied on our salt marshes requires supple- 

 menting because of its solidification. This is being done as rapidly 



