THIRTEENTH ANNUAL REPORT 73 
from places in the border plantation, where they had become 
too dense; the temporary planting between the Boston Road and 
the Public Comfort Station, and the flanking of the west ap- 
proach to Baird Court with large specimens of rhododendrons. 
No trees or shrubs were purchased during the year, no money 
being available; and all the planting was with stock taken from 
our own plantation or nursery. 
Insect Pests —Of insect pests, the elm-leaf beetle, which this 
year occurred in larger numbers than in the previous four 
years, was of the greatest importance. The tussock moth, also, 
seems to be on the increase, and since it is a dangerous matter 
to employ in a zoological park such stomach poisons as arsenate 
of lead, with which these pests could readily and cheaply be con- 
trolled, it may cause us a great deal of trouble. Several bad 
cases of the cottony maple-scale, and similar sucking insects, were 
quickly brought under control. The annual occurrence of the 
tent caterpillar has become less and less serious, because of the 
continued warfare waged against this most unsightly of all our 
pests. In connection with this insect, the following figures may 
be of interest: In 1905, 40,300 nests were destroyed; in 1906, 
the number was 11,194; in 1907, only 4,541 nests were found: 
and in 1908, the total was reduced to 3,712 nests. 
The maintenance cost of forestry and gardening, which in 
1908 was entirely inadequate to the work that needed to be done, 
will have to be recognized more fully hereafter, especially in 
such places as Baird Court, the Italian Garden and the Concourse. 
The Italian Garden.—Vhe Italian Garden has proved to be a 
very popular feature. The central beds were first planted with 
8,000 yellow prince tulips, and afterward with 1,600 scarlet sage 
of a new and dwarf variety called “Zurich.” After the sage 
was cut down by frost, the center beds were filled with 10,000 
yellow pansies, which will make a fine showing next spring. 
The Care of Lawns is now an important item. The amount of 
work in that line has been steadily increasing, and is unavoid- 
ably costly, because on account of the much broken surface and 
numerous small patches, the grass lawns have to be mowed 
chiefly by hand labor. 
Plants in Buildings—The decorating of the large animal 
buildings with palms and other foliage plants, and the care of 
these decorations under very adverse conditions, was successfully 
performed by the force of gardeners and hothouse men. The 
Society now owns 100 large palms and other decorative plants, 
ranging in height from eight to thirty feet, and also a great 
