FIFTH ANNUAL REPORT. 55 
DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY AND GARDENING.—Hermann W. Mer- 
kel, Chief Forester. 
To this department, also, great credit is due for the amount of 
intelligent and effective work accomplished by it during the past 
year. Its organization is admirable, and its usefulness covers a 
wide field. The following is an exhibit of the most important 
items of work accomplished during the year 1900: 
Regraded, top-soiled, and seeded the banks of Cope Lake and the 
Elk Pond; also built overflows for both. 
Excavated and brought to a finish the pool near Bird House, and 
the brook running through Birds’ Valley. 
Excavated and lined with stone two bathing pools, in the Caribou 
and Moose corrals. 
Planned and carried out the planting of about 900 shade and ever- 
green trees in border plantations, in Birds’ Valley, Elk Range, 
and along exposed walks in other portions of the Park. 
Thoroughly inspected and pruned about 1,200 forest trees, and 
cut out about go dead or dangerous trees. 
Cut, stored, and. distributed 52 tons of ice, and distributed 102 
tons additional. 
Built walks at doors of Mammal House, west of Fox Dens, and 
to toilet buildings; also scraped service road, and all walks in 
the Park preparatory to their being top-dressed. 
Built 21 walk-drains with iron gratings and brick catch-basins. 
Built dam, and laid 650 feet of 6-inch pipe to conduct brook into 
head of Beaver Pond. 
Erected nearly 1,200 feet of wire guards along walk borders. 
Graded, top-soiled, seeded, and decorated interior of Flying Cage. 
Graded, top-soiled, and seeded about 7 acres of ground in various 
portions of the Park. 
Distributed and placed in position 200 Park settees. 
Cut and stacked 12 tons of hay. 
Collected and transported a carload of trees from Garrison, New 
York, to the nursery, and set them in the nursery. 
Demolished and removed an old barn in Bronxdale. 
Maintained and cleaned daily all walks and roads; mowed lawns 
and meadows; removed garbage and ashes; distributed some 
food, and assisted in the cleaning and maintaining of buildings 
and aviaries. 
