73 



distance of about i8 miles, with a maximum height of over 50 

 feet. Through this bank there will be a lock and sluices. The 

 deeper part of the Zuider Zee will be converted into a navigable 

 fresh-water lake, and the shallow areas drained and brought 

 under cultivation. Like all such projects in Holland, it com- 

 bines drainage with irrigation, and the waters of this fresh- 

 water lake which come from the Rhine are to be used when 

 necessary for irrigating purposes. The total area reclaimed will 

 amount to about 520,000 acres. It is interesting to note that 

 the Commission estimates that 250,000 persons will find ample 

 means of support in this reclaimed land. It is practically add- 

 ing another province to Holland. From experience of many 

 years in the various provinces of Holland, the Commission finds 

 that the average yield of this land will be 140 florins per acre 

 annually, or, measured in our units, $56 per acre. As you know, 

 the value of money in Holland is much greater than here, how- 

 ever; indeed the purchasing power of one florin is about equiva- 

 lent to $1 in this country; consequently, to reduce it to our 

 standards, they find that such lands produce the equivalent of 

 $140 per acre. The whole work is estimated to cost 189,000,000 

 florins, which measured by our standards of value represents 

 $363 per acre. 



NEED EOR ACTION IN NEW JERSEY AND THE PROCEDURE. 



It is 48 years since Dr. Cook first urged the importance of 

 this matter. It is 20 years since I wrote my own report. I take 

 comfort, however, from the history of the Zuider Zee project. 

 Mr. Van Diggelen originally pointed out its great economic and 

 other advantages in 1849, nearly 70 years ago. The work has 

 been brought to fruition through the co-operation of many 

 enterprising and patriotic Dutchmen. The government has some 

 times assisted with appropriations, but very much of the work 

 of investigation has been paid for through voluntary contribu- 

 tions. 



Now, in view of the fact that work of this character has been 

 going on seven centuries in the Netherlands under much more 

 difficult conditions, and has been so succesful that the Dutch 



