TWENTY-FOURTH ANNUAL REPORT 101 
gift from time to time, have made enlargement of the storage- 
house imperative. In view of the fact that our bay-trees are 
as fine as any in the country, and that bay-trees may no longer 
be imported, and that none are being raised in the United 
States, those that we have should be preserved most carefully. 
Nursery Green-house.—The old boiler at the large green- 
house which was formerly used in the Park as a Mammal House, 
has suffered a number of breakdowns, and since repairs to this 
boiler no longer are possible, a new one should be installed. 
WATER SYSTEM. 
Water Supply System.—Of the hydrants, troughs, drinking 
fountains, ete., many of the wrought-iron pipes that were in- 
stalled during the first five years of the existence of the Park, 
are badly corroded, and now are comparatively useless, as the 
pressure has been too greatly reduced. I strongly recommend 
that all replacements of these pipes be made of the best gal- 
vanized wrought-iron pipe, instead of steel pipe, which rusts 
so quickly. 
FORESTRY AND PLANTING. 
Forest and Shade-trees.—Our small force of tree pruners 
has not been able to keep up with the work demanded, and con- 
ditions in the forest, especially on the east side of the Bronx 
River, are getting worse all the time. About all the work that 
we have been able to do has been to prevent dangerous conditions 
adjacent to walks, buildings and fences. Now, however, many 
dead limbs and limb-stubs, as well as some dead trees are pres- 
ent, and a force of at least five men should be kept at work dur- 
ing the next few years to remove these conditions. Most of 
the pruning, especially that on the very tall old forest trees, 
only can be done by able bodied men, experienced in this line 
of work. 
Planting.—At the present time, most of our plantings are 
in satisfactory condition, but the evergreen beds in the Italian 
Garden which have been deteriorating for some years, should 
be replanted entirely, as this most prominent feature of Baird 
Court has become very shabby. 
