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and vistas opened into the forest. Additional shade for the 
western side of this tract has been provided by the planting 
of trees and shrubs, of species related to the herbaceous 
plants which, in the arrangement, are located along this side. 
The card-catalogue of species begun last year has been 
posted up as material has been obtained, and a complete 
record thus established of the origin of every plant. This 
includes the native flowering plants and ferns of the tract. 
A list of 2,682 species and varieties, showing their approxi- 
mate location, taken from this card-catalogue, is herewith 
presented. 
Grading. 
The grading of the banks of the Southern Boulevard and 
the denuded area between that road and the property of St. 
John’s College, which was begun in August, 1896, and con- 
tinued until December, was taken up again in the spring 
of 1897; 2,000 cubic yards of top soil were obtained from 
Mr. J. B. McDonald, under his agreement with the Board of 
Managers, spread over the graded area, and sown, with the 
result that by early summer no evidence of the former un- 
sightly appearance of this region was noticeable. 
In May work was begun in filling the bog places in the 
north meadows and the former reaches of the Bronx River, 
in carrying out the feature of the general plan to restrict the 
river to one channel. Dirt for filling was obtained from Mr. 
J. B. McDonald, under the agreement above alluded to, and 
dumped from his temporary trestle at points convenient for 
cartage. This work was continued at intervals until Decem- 
ber, with the result that about one-quarter of the amount of 
dirt required for the filling has been moved into place. 
All but two of the numerous cellar excavations which dis- 
figured the tract have been filled and properly graded. 
The work of filling the reaches of the Bronx in the north 
meadows may conveniently go on as opportunity offers. It 
will be convenient to continue it during the winter while the 
ground is frozen. 
