76 NEW YORK ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



to great credit for the measure of success that he has already 

 achieved in the management of these difificult features, and for 

 the very substantial sum that has been accumulated during the 

 past year, through his efforts, to the benefit of the animal fund. 

 Even for its first year the Rocking Stone Restaurant seems 

 likely to pay its own expenses, and there is little probability that 

 the Society will be called upon to make good a loss, as was orig- 

 inally apprehended. 



At the close of the year the business of the Chief Clerk's of- 

 fice was found to be well up to date, and his books of account, 

 voucher files, and financial reports all in most perfect order. 



Soda-Fountains. — The necessity for another soda-fountain in 

 the Park became apparent, and one was established by Mr. 

 Mitchell in the Shelter Pavilion near the Fox Dens, where it was 

 well patronized. 



A Candv Pavilion was erected at the Bear Dens. 



DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY AND GARDENING. — Jlennan W. Merkcl^ 



Chief Forester. 



This department has been conducted with the usual degree of 

 energy and success. Its work naturally falls into six sub- 

 divisions : 



1. Park Service — such as keeping the Park clean of refuse of 

 every description, and supplying extra labor to all other depart- 

 ments. 



2. Supplying vegetable food, ice, live-animal food, etc. 



3. Pruning, planting, mowing, and caring for ponds. 



4. Grading and seeding new areas and walk-borders, erecting 

 guards, etc. 



5. Hot-house work. 



6. Rearing of animal food for animals. 



All this work is thoroughly systematized, and proceeds with 

 regularity and precision. During the year 1901, in addition to 

 the above, a large amount of ground improvement work was 

 executed under the personal supervision of Mr. Merkel, and paid 

 for out of the ground improvement fund, all of which is listed 

 under the head of " Miscellaneous Ground Improvements by the 



