THIRD ANNUAL REPORT. 45 



FORESTRY WORK. 



From the first moment of possession the Zoological Society 

 has recognized the serious nature of the responsibility it has as- 

 sumed touching the protection and preservation from decay and 

 general deterioration of the magnificent forest in the Zoological 

 Park. It has long been apparent to the Society that its duty 

 toward the trees and shrubs of the Park is not even second to its 

 obligations toward the live animals which soon will be installed. 

 A live animal can nearly always be replaced, usually within a few 

 months; but a century-old oak tree or chestnut, a giant tulip or 

 elm, when once dead through decay and neglect, is gone forever. 

 And the death of a large forest tree anywhere within the limits of 

 New York City is nothing less than a calamity. 



In view of the condition of our forest, and the work necessary 

 to its proper preservation and maintenance, the Society resolved 

 to assume all responsibility therefor, and charge the cost of labor 

 and materials to the regular maintenance fund. At first it was 

 thought desirable to defer all forestry work until January i, 1899, 

 when the maintenance fund would become available; but the 

 visible deterioration of the forest was so great it was found im- 

 possible to wait for city funds. In October the Society selected 

 and appointed an experienced and energetic man, Mr. Herman 

 W. Merkel, as Chief Forester, and supplied him with laborers, 

 tools, and materials. The work of preservation was begun forth- 

 with and prosecuted with vigor throughout the entire winter. 

 Until January ist the cost of this work was met by the Society, 

 but on that date it became chargeable to the maintenance fund. 



Preservation. — The most serious task in this branch of work 

 lies in preserving from death by drought the hundreds of trees 

 now in imminent danger because of the thinness of the soil in 

 which they stand. Thousands of loads of soil must be hauled and 

 spread over several granite ledges whereon the soil is now too 

 thin for trees to long endure. Hundreds of trees are endangered 

 by decaying cavities that are steadily eating, ulcer-like, into their 

 trunks. Many fine chestnut and oak trees have been partially 

 burned out at the root by fires that were purposely built against 

 or within them. All such cavities, whether due to fire or decay, 

 require to be filled up, water-tight, either with stone and Portland 

 cement, or with pieces of zinc very carefully fitted. All dead limbs 



