72 NEW YORK ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY 



This contract was completed in March, 1909, and will thus 

 enable the animals of the Elephant House to occupy their yards 

 immediately upon the arrival of the warm weather. 



The Concourse Entrance, Concourse and Western Approach 

 to Baird Court. — This important contract (which did not include 

 the curbing and sidewalks of the Concourse and Approach) was 

 let in October. 1906, to the John V. Schaefer, Jr.. Company, at a 

 cost of $58,379.50. It was completed in the summer of 1908. 



Walks and Curbing of Concourse and Approach. — For this 

 work a contract was let in September, 1908, to John B. ]\Ialatesta, 

 for the sum of $13,699.00. The work was satisfactorily com- 

 pleted in November, 1908. 



Nezv Soda Pavilion. — This structure was satisfactorily com- 

 pleted in May, 1908, by Kelly & Kelly, at a total cost of $8,959.60, 

 and immediately thereafter began to serve all its purposes. 



Public Comfort Station. — This unfortunate structure was 

 begun by J. J. Buckley in January, 1907, and finally was com- 

 pleted by S. A. Whisten in February, 1909. This is the contract 

 that was begun prematurely by the first contractor, and had to 

 be relet under very adverse conditions. The total cost of the 

 building is $24,652.39. It is to be opened to the public in the 

 spring of 1909. 



DEPARTMENT OF MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR.S AND OF 

 GROUND IMPROVEMENTS. 



Herman \V. Merkel, Chief Constructor and Forester; E. H. Costain, 

 Assistant Forester and Captain-of-the-Watch. 



Forestry and Planting. — Owing to the large extent of plant- 

 ings to be cared for, and the great number of buildings that 

 regularly contain tropical plants, the amount of maintenance 

 work necessary in this department is annually increasing. 



During the winter some very necessary tree pruning and sur- 

 gery was performed in the enclosed portion of the Park. It is 

 gratifving to know that the number of trees that are annually 

 dving has been now reduced to a very small figure, with the 

 exception, of course, of the chestnuts. It is to be noted here 

 that one of our experiments, carried on for the control of the 

 bark disease of the chestnut, points to success, although it is yet 

 too early to make a definite statement. The number of trees 

 pruned or otherwise treated in 1908 was 305. Of the minor 

 planting operations carried out during 1908, were the planting out 

 of 150 permanent shade trees, the transplanting of 106 evergreens 



