94 NEW YORK ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY 
permanent in character, all of the outer bearing sills were re- 
moved, and solid concrete foundations were substituted. The 
piers were raised above the floor level to prevent the further 
decay of the posts that support the roof. In the fall, when the 
building was free from visitors, all of the flooring, floor beams 
and heavy interior sills were removed, and the soda fountain and 
other equipment located in the south end of the building were 
taken down and stored. Under this end of the building, the 
earth and rock were excavated to allow for a basement for gas, 
water and sewer pipes. During the winter the foundation was 
filled in with ashes to support the new concrete floor. Early in 
the spring the new floor will be laid, and it is expected to have 
this building ready for occupancy early in the summer. The 
cost of this improvement during 1916 was $568.44, and it is ex- 
pected that the remaining balance will be sufficient to finish the 
work. 
Concrete Benches.—During the cold months at the begin- 
ning of 1916, thirty-four concrete benches were made. Nearly 
all of these were used on the new Boat House platform. As 
many of the older series of iron and wood benches have been 
broken up, and as many more are rapidly becoming useless, it will 
be necessary to make about fifty concrete benches every year 
in order to supply sufficient seating capacity. 
East Side Improvements.—On account of the changes in 
the state of labor market, the arrangement made with the N. Y. 
Association for Improving the Condition of the Poor did not 
work out as well as was expected. Instead of obtaining from 
them the usual number of unemployed men that have come to 
us during the previous year, the men sent to us chiefly were 
convalescents, and unable to do the hard, laborious work neces- 
sary in the making of permanent improvements. These men 
were employed in the nursery, in lawn-mowing, raking, cutting 
brush, and in general cleaning. In thus distributing this labor, 
we were enabled to maintain the portion of the Park east of the 
Boston Road in a more perfect state than ever before. 
Guard Wires.—As in former years, the many miles of wire 
guards and railings required a large amount of repair and re- 
placement work; and this was paid for out of the Improvement 
and Repair Fund. 
Musk-Ox Fences.—The condition of the fences at the Musk- 
Ox Corrals, and the increasing strength and destructiveness of 
