REPORT OF Till'. 



material Prom distant points al an increased expenditure, other- 

 wise superficial treatment, which in the matter of soil for turf 

 and planting must always prove uneconomical in the end, must 

 be substituted. 



A well kept turf of vigorous growth frequently cut, as is the 

 custom during the summer season, is very exhaustive of I lie 

 sustenance contained in the soil, and unless this is restored by 

 frequent applications of manure or other fertilizers, will result 

 in a deteriorated and scanty supply of grass. 



A considerable expenditure was also required at the Well. 

 This amounted in part to the renewal of the plant required for 

 operating our water service. The original boiler, after seven- 

 teen years' use, during which period it had been frequently 

 repaired, was finally condemned by the official Inspector, and 

 a new wrought-iron horizontal tubular boiler of increased 

 capacity was put in its place. The covering of the well was 

 also entirely renewed. 



The structure known as the Promenade Drive Shelter, on the 

 south side of the Park, was reduced in height by the removal of 

 a considerable part of the whole. The original intention was 

 to equip this frame work with a series of awnings for the pro- 

 tection of the public, with the expectation that it would invite 

 visitors to gather at this point to view the driving, &c; but the 

 distance from many points of the Park and its central resorts, 

 would seem to suggest too remote a contingency to justify the 

 comparatively expensive maintenance which the idea practically 

 carried out would involve, and has suggested the modification 

 which has been accomplished. 



The lease of the Litchfield Mansion expired during the 

 month of -January of this year. The building, without modifi- 

 cation in any important particular of its interior arrangements, 

 was put to use for the adminstration offices of the Commission 

 in the month of April. The Litchfield Mansion being nearly 

 thirty years old, there were many details of its construction 

 that needed repair, together with considerable painting of out- 

 side work -a new heating apparatus was put in — since which 

 time it has served as a convenient executive headquarters. 



