~] 
bo 
NEW YORK ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY 
This contract was completed in March, 1909, and will thus 
enable the animals of the Elephant House to occupy their yards 
immediately upon the arrival of the warm weather. 
The Concourse Entrance, Concourse and Western Approach 
to Baird Court.—This important contract (which did not include 
the curbing and sidewalks of the Concourse and Approach) was 
let in October, 1906, to the John V. Schaefer, Jr., Company, at a 
cost of $58,379.50. It was completed in the summer of 1908. 
Walks and Curbing of Concourse and Approach.—For this 
work a contract was let in September, 1908, to John B. Malatesta, 
for the sum of $13,699.00. The work was satisfactorily com- 
pleted in November, 1908. 
New Soda Pavilion—tThis structure was satisfactorily com- 
pleted in May, 1908, by Kelly & Kelly, at a total cost of $8,959.60, 
and immediately thereafter began to serve all its purposes. 
Public Comfort Station—This unfortunate structure was 
begun by J. J. Buckley in January, 1907, and finally was com- 
pleted by S. A. Whisten in February, 1909. This is the contract 
that was begun prematurely by the first contractor, and had to 
be relet under very adverse conditions. The total cost of the 
building is $24,652.39. It is to be opened to the public in the 
spring of 1909. 
DEPARTMENT OF MAINTENANCE AND REPAIRS AND OF 
GROUND IMPROVEMENTS. 
Herman W. Merkel, Chief Constructor and Forester; E. H. Costain, 
Assistant Forester and Captain-of-the-Watch. 
Forestry and Planting. —Owing to the large extent of plant- 
ings to be cared for, and the great number of buildings that 
regularly contain tropical plants, the amount of maintenance 
work necessary in this department is annually increasing. 
During the winter some very necessary tree pruning and sur- 
gery was performed in the enclosed portion of the Park. It is 
gratifying to know that the number of trees that are annually 
dying has been now reduced to a very small figure, with the 
exception, of course, of the chestnuts. It is to be noted here 
that one of our experiments, carried on for the control of the 
bark disease of the chestnut, points to success, although it is yet 
too early to make a definite statement. The number of trees 
pruned or otherwise treated in 1908 was 305. Of the minor 
planting operations carried out during 1908, were the planting out 
of 150 permanent shade trees, the transplanting of 106 evergreens 
