14 REPORT OF THE 



TREES AND PLANTATIONS. 



The difficult work of caring for and preserving these in a 

 place so often crowded with visitors as Prospect Park, has 

 received particular attention. 



The Park police have kept close watch for depredators with 

 encouraging results, and the stealing and destruction of plants 

 and shrubs have been checked. 



Where the soil has become thin or poor, it has received a 

 coating of rich soil or wood ashes, and preparations have been 

 made to continue this work. The entire shrubbery has been 

 examined and trimmed where required, while much poor and 

 superfluous growth has been removed. 



The storms, from their unusual severity, did much damage. 

 At one time the entire, force of the Park was employed in 

 clearing after the gales. Forty-one large trees were blown 

 down oi' destroyed, mid scarcely one in the Park escaped 

 injury. As far as possible, this damage has been repaired. 



Over six hundred trees, of large growing kinds, have been 

 planted, and over seven thousand shrubs, large and small, in 

 the different parks. 



ANIMALS AND BIRDS. 



In addition to the horses, there is now in Prospect Park a 

 small but interesting and valuable collection of wild and 

 domestic animals, obtained by purchase or exchange, or the 

 gifts ot public spirited citizens. 



The sheep have been improved bj r selection, and by ex- 

 change, until the flock is now a fine example of well-bred 

 Southdowns, which, by continued attention, it is hoped to 

 further improve. 



A flock of about sixty thoroughbred white fan-tailed 

 pigeons, established in aloft over the Croquet Shelter, have 

 proved of great interest, especially to children. There are 

 also fifteen peafowl and six white turkeys. 



