SIXTH ANNUAL REPORT. 77 



Park Department."* This secured far better and more artistic 

 results, and at lower cost, than could possibly have been obtained 

 through advance specifications and a large number of petty con- 

 tracts. 



As stated in a previous report, the cost and trouble of keeping 

 on hand constant supplies of fresh vegetables for animal food 

 led last year to the establishment at the Nursery of a vegetable 

 garden. The results of this experiment were so very satis- 

 factory in every way, and proved so great a saving in cash ex- 

 penditure, that it was decided to go a step farther and see what 

 could be done in rearing rabbits, pigeons, rats, mice, guinea- 

 pigs, and chickens for the reptiles and the small carnivorous 

 animals requiring a regular supply of whole-animal food. This 

 idea was carried into effect by the conversion of one of the 

 Pheasant Houses presented by the heirs of Mr. Samuel B. 

 Schiefifelin into a poultry-house 60 x 18 feet, with wire-inclosed 

 runways on one side. 



It has been demonstrated that on an average the animals 

 mentioned above can be bred and reared in the nursery for less 

 than one-half what it costs to purchase them in the market, and 

 the constant availability of this supply is a great advantage to 

 the animals for which it is provided. 



A brief summary of the maintenance work of the forestry and 

 gardening department is as follows : 



Harvested, stored, and distributed 275 tons of ice. 



Laid stone walls under boundary and range fences along the 

 Southern Boulevard and other places, covered with earth, seed- 

 ed and sodded. 



Reconstructed the entire telephone system. Established sat- 

 isfactory metallic circuits. Installed five new telephones, and 

 equipped Service Building with speaking-tubes. 



Constructed large Poultry House, 60 x 18 feet, with wire yards 

 connecting. 



Built rabbit-warrens, pigeon-coops, and nest-boxes for rats and 

 mice. 



Reared and distributed about $400 worth of live animals for 

 animal food. 



Maintained in the Nursery 7,000 trees, 18,000 shrubs and 

 vines, and 4,000 perennials. 



*See page 83. 



