TWENTY-FIRST ANNUAL REPORT 91 
GROUND IMPROVEMENT AND MAINTENANCE WORK OF THE 
DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY AND CONSTRUCTION. 
Hermann W. Merkel, Chief Constructor and Forester: 
E. H. Costain, Assistant Forester; 
Paving Wild-Fowl Pond.—The first work undertaken 
through the Ground Improvement Fund, was the completion of 
the grading and paving of the bottom of the Wild-Fowl Pond. 
After excavating over 200 cubic yards of soft black mud which 
necessitated much laborious and costly hand work, the bottom 
of this pond was bedded with 1,000 cubic yards of earth fill and 
stone, in order to provide a firm and even foundation upon which 
to lay concrete. Nearly 450 cubic yards of reinforced concrete 
were then laid upon this bed. Owing to adverse conditions en- 
countered on this work, and the failure of the City to provide 
the entire amount asked, the sum of $750 was expended from 
the Improvement and Repair Fund, making the total cost of this 
work, $3,750. Even this sum did not permit us to pave the 
entire pond, but the bottom is now cleanable. The water can 
be drained off, annually, and the bottom will be thoroughly 
scrubbed. By this means further epidemics among the wild- 
fowl] will be avoided. 
Paving Around New Hospital Building.—Around the new 
Hospital Building, there have been laid approximately, 3,000 
cubic feet of concrete in the form of pavement and retaining 
walls, and 1,644 square feet of tar-macadam. Of course, all 
paving has been laid upon a Telford foundation. This makes 
it possible to keep the surroundings of the Hospital Building 
perfectly clean and sanitary. 
In the building itself, the floors of several of the interior 
cages were re-surfaced in order to provide the proper drainage. 
Some difficulty was experienced with the steam-heating 
contractor, but after a long delay the building is now in first 
class condition. 
IMPROVEMENT AND REPAIR FUND. 
(Taken out of the fund for the purchase of animals.) 
Repairs, Walks and Roads.—As in past years, walk repair- 
ing was the largest item drawn from this fund. Over 45,000 
square feet of walks and roads were re-surfaced. The favored 
