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tremely important factor for a forest of this character. This 
may be done by directing visitors along indicated paths. 
The constantly increasing number of visitors to the Garden 
and the completion of extensions to the roads, paths and col- 
lections, has made necessary some additions to the details 
for guard duty with the result that the total number on duty 
on holidays and other special occasions now numbers 26. 
In addition to this unavoidable increase, it has been necessary 
to provide attendants for the public comfort stations near the 
entrance to the terminal station of the Manhattan Elevated 
Railway, and to appoint two special guards by whom the 
grounds were patrolled from 7 A. M. until 8 P. M. daily 
during the summer season. Some service has been rendered 
by the patrolmen attached to the 41st precinct, but no special 
detail has been made for any part of the Garden except upon 
certain occasions. It is highly desirable that some favorable 
action looking toward the more complete protection of the 
Garden be secured from the Commissioner of Police. 
It is to be noted that the amount of damage to the collec- 
tions has been very small, and it is gratifying to be able to 
report the growth of a healthy sentiment on the part of the 
public as to the preservation of the collections and of the nat- 
ural features of the grounds. On several occasions, intelli- 
gent visitors have been known to prevent thoughtless persons 
from injuring lawns, wild plants, and objects on exhibition. 
The existence of such a sentiment has done much to supple- 
ment the inadequate guard service we are able to provide. 
On the other hand, the deposition of newspapers and rub- 
bish of various kinds in the grounds has increased to such an 
extent that one man is no longer able to clear up the litter 
resulting from this carelessness. It is necessary that vigor- 
ous measures be taken to abate this growing nuisance. 
The cabs and hacks which wait for passengers at the 
entrances continue to be a source of annoyance to visitors by 
persistent soliciting, and of damage to the roadways by the 
disregard of the regulations governing licensed vehicles. 
It is to be seen from the foregoing that a material increase 
