98 ANNUAL REPORT SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION, 1921. 



leaving rubbish on the lawns was inaugurated. With few excep- 

 tions visitors have taken kindly to the requests of officers that all 

 papers and other refuse be gathered up and deposited in the trash 

 receptacles, and a very distinct improvement in the appearance of 

 the grounds has resulted. 



With the greatly increased attendance, and especially with the 

 present popularity of the grounds for picnic purposes, the absolute 

 enforcement of the rubbish law is imperative. Additional trash 

 baskets have been provided, and it is the intention to carry the cam- 

 paign to a point where every visitor will realize the importance of 

 the regulations and the seriousness of a disregard for park cleanli- 

 ness. The aid of the public has been solicited by signs calling at- 

 tention to the paper and trash nuisance, with a request for help. 

 The response from the majority of visitors is gratifying, and the 

 untidy small minority will, if necessary, be dealt with by sterner 

 methods. 



ALTERATIONS OF BOUNDARIES. 



The purchase of the land necessary for the protection of the 

 Connecticut Avenue entrance was completed during the year. The 

 area acquired by purchase, and the included highways which by the 

 same act become a part of the National Zoological Park, make an 

 addition of 247,261.9 square feet or approximately 5§ acres. The 

 total area of the National Zoological Park is now about 175 acres. 

 The unexpended balance of $2,403.66, left from the appropriation of 

 $80,000 made for the purchase of this land, is reappropriated in the 

 sundry civil bill for 1922 toward the purchase of certain lots near the 

 Adams Mill Road entrance to the park, between the park and Adams 

 Mill Road. The owners having declined to sell these lots within 

 the price limits set by the act, steps have been taken toward the 

 institution of proceedings of condemnation. 



IMPORTANT NEEDS. 



Restaurant. — The most urgent improvement needed for the park 

 is a suitable public restaurant. As pointed out in previous reports, 

 the old refreshment stand, originally constructed as a temporary 

 building when the attendance was only a small fraction of its present 

 figures, is not only in a bad state of repair but is wholly inadequate 

 for the required service. The estimated cost of a suitable building 

 a year ago was $65,400. Since the park has now obtained, as men- 

 tioned above, a large quantity of first-class chestnut lumber, includ- 

 ing many heavy timbers, new plans have recently been drawn by the 

 municipal architect with the idea of utilizing this lumber to ad- 

 vantage. It is now believed that a restaurant building in every way 

 suitable to the demands of the place, and probably more in keeping 

 with the surroundings, can be constructed for $40,000. 



