NINETEENTH ANNUAL REPORT 95 



The painters' force has been kept especially busy. I am 

 very glad to report that more painting was done during the last 

 twelve months than ever before, and this was accomplished 

 without an increase in the force. Outside of the buildings al- 

 ready mentioned, the following installations were given a 

 thorough painting and overhauling: Antelope House and yard 

 fences, Small Deer House and yard fences, Zebra House fences, 

 Elephant House fences, Ostrich House fences, Eagle and Vul- 

 ture Aviary, entire Buffalo Range, all boundary fences, Beaver 

 fence, and all of the Bear Dens, all of the guard wires, all of the 

 gate houses, Service Building, Wolf and Fox Dens, Boat House, 

 and many others of minor importance. 



CARE OF FORESTS, AND PLANTING. 



This work was carried on as in previous years, except that 

 we were not able to do as much work in the pruning of forest 

 trees as should have been done, on account of the many days of 

 last winter when it was impossible to work on the trees. With 

 this exception the forest continues in good condition, and the 

 number of insect pests has been very small. 



In policing the grounds on Sundays and holidays during 

 the crowded season, we again had the help of three outside men, 

 and with these, and all our own men that could be made avail- 

 able for Sunday and holiday work, it was possible to maintain 

 reasonably good order. The number of pickpockets operating 

 in the Park on crowded days is still great, and presents a serious 

 problem. 



Our Special Patrolman Van Benschoten took care of the 

 east side, as usual. During the year he made forty-one arrests, 

 obtaining a conviction in each case. The number of picnics in 

 these woods is as great as ever; fifty-four permits for 6,500 

 people have been issued. Approximately 275,000 people visited 

 that section of the Park during the year. 



Fires continue to be a serious menace to all the wooded 

 portion of the Park. There is no question but that a great many 

 of them are deliberately set by hoodlums, who, in spite of all we 

 can do, infest the Park east of the Boston Road. It is extremely 

 difficult to detect anyone at this work, and it is probably need- 

 less to say that a warm reception awaits anyone who is dis- 

 covered setting such fires. 



