20 ltEPOKT OF THE 



to give before. Naturally, much of this material is no longer 

 serviceable, while many other plants still good, may be trans- 

 ferred to unfinished portions of the park. In the latter case, the 

 surface to be planted Avill require soiling and manure. The 

 periods favorable for this class of work are Spring and Autumn. 

 The ordinary seasons are brief at best, and in order to accomp- 

 lish definite and, to any degree, extended results, it is desirable 

 to be able to concentrate a considerable force of men upon the 

 work. It is, however, a class of work that can neither be 

 cheaply or hastily done, and Ave have labored and must still 

 labor under embarassments which our limited means and neces- 

 sities in other directions enforce upon us. The trees planted 

 upon the outside walks of the park, have frequently been 

 subjected to wanton abuse by unknown parties; in some in- 

 stances resulting in the absolute destruction of a number of 

 choice trees. It is impossible to give these out-lying interests 

 the supervision necessary to guard against such attacks ; in view 

 of the limited Police force under our control I would suggest 

 that the attention of the Police Department of the city be 

 called to the subject by the Commission, and the co-operation 

 of the force on duty upon the borders of the park be secured. 



The turf of the park, as has been noted, has required each 

 spring a restoration in part by re-sodding ; much of this work 

 was done in the early spring, and with the exception of areas 

 of the park upon which the grass was permitted to mature for 

 hay, the meadows were frequently cut and a compact turf main- 

 tained as an element of beauty in the general design, and in 

 order to afford every facility to the largo number of our citizens, 

 both young and old, who sought recreation in field games 

 throughout the fine weather of the year. 



The lakes and water courses of the park have been main- 

 tained in as satisfactory condition as possible. During the 

 prevailing warm weather in summer the penetrating effect of 

 the rays of the sun in the comparatively shallow water of the 

 park lake developed the growth of a vegetable fungus hereto- 

 fore described in my report, which, being detached by the 



