10 
Annual Report 
in other portions of the park in order to avoid severe washouts 
that have occurred from time to time during past years. 
The Good Roads Improvement Company made an experiment 
on the main driveway with an asphaltum oil to allay the dust and 
prevent washing. It proved very satisfactory, especially in settling 
the dust and preventing the growth of noxious weeds, as well as 
proving impervious to dashing rains, thereby preventing any 
material from washing from the drives. That experience, coupled 
with my observation of what is being done in eastern cities, has 
prompted me to make an experiment during the coming summer 
with a solution of oil, soap, and water that will give much cheaper 
applications, and I believe just as effective service. 
This company was also given the privilege of making a test 
of tarvia on the same driveway. While tarvia makes a very 
hard road and would no doubt lengthen the life of macadam, the 
manner in which it was placed on the park driveway here made 
it dangerous for horses to pass over, as the surface was so very 
slippery that it necessitated a coating of sand every two or three 
weeks to make it safe for traffic. The climatic conditions caused 
it to disintegrate also to such a degree that it was not thought 
to be an economical material for roadbeds. This, coupled with 
the other objectionable feature, would, I believe, bar it as a 
material for park driveways. 
One of the most needed improvements in our department was 
established in the workshop at Eden-Park stable. During the 
past throughout the summer season the entire time of two men 
was required to keep the scythes and lawnmowers in condition 
for the workmen to use. The entire interior arrangement of the 
workshop is now changed, a dynamo having been installed, the 
power generated by same being utilized to propel two grindstones, 
an emery wheel, a forge, a drill, a lathe, a vise, two saws, and a 
horse-clipper and groomer. The entire cost of this equipment 
was but $385, and the estimated saving of labor is sixty dollars 
