THIRTEENTH ANNUAL REPORT Th 
Crematory.—A crematory was erected near the Nursery, after 
designs made by Mr. Merkel. This consists chiefly of a heavy 
double steel cylinder, four by eight feet in internal diameter, 
with a double grate and brick ash-pit. The steel shell, as well as 
the upper grate, is water cooled, and connected with a 150-gal- 
lon expansion tank. A heavy cast-iron cover, raised and lowered 
with a differential block, closes the top of the cylinder. This 
crematory 1s something which we long have needed, and which 
gives us adequate means of disposing of offensive refuse in a 
cheap and sanitary way. The ashes are saved and stored, and 
supply us with a valuable fertilizer that is free from weed seeds 
and other objectionable matter. This crematory has proven an 
entire success, and it only remains for us to protect it from the 
weather by proper housing. The crematory has been so placed 
that refuse can be dumped directly into the furnace from carts 
or cans. 
The Concourse —At the Concourse all the necessary grading 
was done, and a large quantity of top-soil was obtained and 
placed. In accordance with our planting plans a great deal of 
rock was removed from the hill west of the Approach, and every- 
thing was made ready for extensive planting operations in the 
spring of 1909, in accordance with the plans of Chief Forester 
Merkel. A service road, and walk leading from the Entrance 
to the Duck Aviary, were built. The surface of the Concourse 
roadway, which had been left in a rather unsatisfactory condi- 
tion, was top-dressed and rolled. Part of the road leading from 
the Concourse to Bronxdale, and a service road for the use of 
the contractor in erecting the new Aministration Building, were 
constructed. 
West of Baird Court.—The walks leading from the West Ap- 
proach to Baird Court to the Aquatic Bird House, and from 
the West Approach toward the Flying Cage, as well as a connec- 
tion with the Service Road, were constructed, and the old road 
was torn up, covered with top-soil and seeded. A concrete re- 
taining wall was built west of the new Soda Pavilion, at the 
Aquatic Bird House. 
Walks.—Several important walks, notably those in the vicinity 
of the Restaurant, and those leading from the Crotona Entrance, 
past the Camel, Llama and Elk Ranges, were surfaced with our 
tar macadam, and are now, for the first time, in a perfectly satis- 
factory condition. 
The main walks leading to the Elephant House, as well as 
those surrounding the yards, were built and made ready for tar- 
