BROOKLYN PARK COMMISSIONERS. 35 



experiments can be successfully tried under conditions to which 

 vegitation is subjected at the island, without more sufficient 

 means than has been available for this purpose. The frequent 

 saturation by the salt water of the underlying sand, without 

 some special provision for protecting roots of the trees, will 

 prevent successful and uniform growth of shade trees at the 

 island. 



Our experience, however, has not been without its counterpart 

 in France and England, where experiments in sea coast plant- 

 ing have not resulted very satisfactorily. It is evident that the 

 roots of the trees must, as a primary condition, be protected 

 against the effect of salt water, and that only certain kinds of 

 trees will grow under the most favorable circumstances, in view 

 of the artificial conditional surroundings. Probably, finally it 

 may be found necessary to introduce supplementary plantations 

 of coarser and more rapidly growing material as wind breaks and 

 nurseries in order to secure to the plants intended for perma- 

 nent development a growth beyond the age at which the sea 

 air, winds and blowing sands seem to be so injurious to 

 them. • 



The ordinary work of repairing and cleaning the roadways has 

 been continuous throughout the year, a force of workmen, 

 skilled in the management of roads, being specially assigned to 

 this duty. Like the park roads, the superstructure has been 

 worn away, and a surface material ground so finely by the 

 action of the wheels and the feet of horses, as to make it diffi- 

 cult to keep the road in form for any length of time. In dry 

 weather the surface is very dusty and entails a large expendi- 

 ture for sprinkling, while the mud which results from the 

 slightest application of water is no less objectionable and 

 aanoying to riders. The gravel of which the road-bed is com- 

 posed is intermixed with light friable clay and fine sand, is 

 difficult to bind and readily wears out. This important 

 thoroughfare, which has not been resurfaced since its construc- 

 tion seven years ago, requires, in order to restore it to good 

 condition, an application of several inches of material. To 



