9 
IMPROVEMENTS. 
During the year the entire northern end of the garden 
has been graded, underdrained, and planted. Two hand- 
some lodge gate houses, with ornamental iron entrance 
gates and sign, the whole costing ^9,150, have been erected. 
The concourse in front of the northern entrance has been 
graded, graveled, and curbed. By an arrangement between 
the Fairmount Park Art Association and this Society, the 
circle in the centre of this place will be occupied by the 
bronze statue of the Dying Lioness — thus adding an appro- 
priate ornament to the already handsome approach. The 
carriage sheds, capable of accommodating twenty-six car- 
riages, have been completed at a cost of ^4,078.80. A 
Reptile house, which, although not intended for a perma- 
nent structure, will sufficiently answer our needs in this 
respect for some time, costing ^1,200, rabbit warrens, 
costing ;^855, and ponds for Seals, Otters, etc., costing 
$^,6^o.y^, have been finished. Also a palm house for the 
protection during the winter of the tropical and ornamental 
plants of the society, at a cost of ,^3,275. A house for the 
accommodation of warm-climated hay-eating animals is now 
under construction, from the plans of George W. Hewitt, 
Esq. When finished it will be one hundred and thirty feet 
long by fifty-eight feet six inches broad, with outside open- 
air paddocks; it will contain eighteen pens of good dimen- 
tions, and its estimated cost is ^18,000. Revolving way 
out-gates have been fixed at convenient points, and a per- 
manent pointed stone wall and coping, surmounted with a 
handsome iron fence, has been constructed on the east 
boundary line of the garden from the horse shelters to the 
forebay. 
FINANCES. 
The financial condition of the society is exhibited by the 
following figures, and the Treasurer's statement and balance 
sheet, in Appendix A: — 
2 
