N. J. Mosquito Extermination Association 95 



this case does not mean an unbroken strip of marsh, such as are 

 common in New Jersey and on Long Island, but that all areas 

 between the two points are under control. Marsh areas in Con- 

 necticut are, in several cases, isolated tracts, land locked or rock 

 bound on all sides. They vary in size from fifty to a thousand 

 acres. It is sometimes a problem tO' drain them properly, as 

 the only outlet is a very small shallow stream which is taxed to 

 capacity in carrying off water between tides. Tide-gates are 

 built in such places as funds become available and drainage 

 troubles are reduced to a minimum. 



The western section of the state which is protected by drained 

 marshes has been almost entirely free from salt marsh mos- 

 quitoes during the last few seasons. However, as little has been 

 done with the inland fresh water problem, the mosquitoes from 

 these sources are making their presence noticeable. 



In former years when the salt marsh hordes invaded the sur- 

 rounding country, the fresh water mosquitoes were so few in 

 comparison that they were not noticed. Considerable interest 

 was shown last summer in planning to get rid of the few. 



Our methods of maintenance and control of salt marshes are 

 similar to those in other communities, but perhaps somewhat 

 more costly. 



The areas that are scattered along the coast for such a long 

 distance are in most instances too small to keep a man busy in 

 that locality for any great length of time, and necessitates hav- 

 ing a crew located at a central point and transporting them by 

 automobile from place to place as the work goes on. The time 

 lost in transportation over such long distances brings our cost 

 per acre considerably higher than the average in other states. 

 Last season the cost per acre was eighty-three cents, exclusive 

 of supervision. 



The individual towns in which work was done pay three-quar- 

 ters of the actual cost, the remaining one-quarter and all super- 

 vision costs and expenses being paid by the state. 



The State Park Commission has purchased a large tract of 

 land, approximately 900 acres at Hammonassett Beach, Madison, 

 which is at the extreme eastern end of our drained territory. 

 Nearly 450 acres are salt marsh, which before being drained were 

 breeding mosquitoes in such numbers that it was almost impossible 

 for one to breathe without strangulation. The high land is laid 

 out as a public park with camp sites, parking spaces and bathing 

 facilities to accommodate thousands. Last season the camp 

 sites were occupied continuously from early summer until fall. 

 Mosquitoes were only in evidence on two or three occasions. 



