86 NEW YORK ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY 



Boat House Restaurant. — While there was a small falling off 

 in the gross business at the Boat House Restaurant we were able 

 by careful economy and a change in the operating plan for the 

 winter months to make a better showing than in 1916. It was 

 decided to close the main dining room between November 1 and 

 April 1. This permits continuous operating of the lunch room 

 with a light refreshment service from 9 to 5:30 daily, and dis- 

 penses with the services of a chef for the winter. 



Soda Water. — A very substantial increase was made over 

 last year in gross receipts from this source, but the increase in 

 cost of materials more than kept pace with it so the net results 

 were not as good as we hoped they would be. There is perhaps 

 no other branch of the privileges more seriously affected by the 

 present conditions than the soda and ice cream business. Their 

 immediate future is so uncertain as to make it difficult to make 

 plans for the coming season. The shortage of sugar very prob- 

 ably may cause the Government to place serious restrictions upon 

 its use for these purposes. 



One very substantial and much needed improvement from 

 which we had the benefit in 1917, was the putting in of an ex- 

 cellent concrete floor in the Shelter Pavilion. The floor drains 

 to the catch basins permit its being quickly and thoroughly 

 cleaned, and add materially to the sanitary control of this stand. 

 We took advantage of the opportunity given us by the dis- 

 mantling of this stand to replace the old style soda fountain with 

 a modest priced counter service fountain, making a plain but 

 substantial outfit. 



While there probably is no prospect of relief at the present 

 time as regards the condition of the soda pavilion and fountain 

 in front of the Reptile House, the fact should not be overlooked 

 that an entirely new structure, with a new fountain, must be 

 provided in the very near future. Some repair work will have 

 to be done to get through the coming season. 



Guide Book. — The American Eagle edition of the Guide Book 

 was placed on sale on August 1, just in time to prevent a break 

 in the supply, although the last edition went more rapidly in the 

 early months of the season than had been anticipated. 



There was no change in the standard of quality set for the 

 Guide Book, though the profits from its sale were materially re- 

 duced by advances in the cost of paper stock and other items. 



