(16) 
REPORT OF THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR 
Dr. N. L. Brirron, DrrEcToR-1n-CHIEF. 
Str: Lhave the honor to present the following report for 
the year ending January 1, 1906. 
Roads, Paths and Grounds 
The roads and paths of the Garden have been kept in order 
by employees of the Department of Parks in accordance with 
the act of organization of the Garden. The efforts of this 
force are devoted to removing refuse, and to restoring the 
surfaces by the application of screenings when necessary. 
The obligation of the Department of Parks in this matter is 
set forth in an opinion by the Corporation Counsel published 
in the JourNnAL for December, 1905. 
The lawns, terraces, plantations and borders have been 
mowed, rolled, cultivated and kept in order by laborers and 
gardeners, as detailed in the reports of the Head Gardener 
and Superintendent. The force of gardeners and laborers 
available for this purpose is quite inadequate, and must be 
increased if the grounds and plantations are to be kept in fair 
condition. 
The increasing number of visitors also demands some plan 
for the protection of the humus in the hemlock forest. It 
has already become necessary to prevent lounging on the 
grass plots on the areas west of the forest around the museum 
and conservatories. Additional guard service for the con- 
servatory court and plaza, for the north meadows and the 
arboretum has been provided. 
It is with great gratification that I am able to report that no 
notable damage to any of the collections has occurred during 
the year. 
The deposition of newspapers and other rubbish in the 
grounds has made necessary the employment of two men 
whose principal duty is the removal of such material. Per- 
haps an effectual method of dealing with this nuisance is to 
be found in a stringent application of police regulations. 
