coping, was constructed in its place. The grade of the reservation along those sides was raised to the level of the top of this wall and for a sufficient distance back therefrom, and two low flights of granite steps, flanked on either side with granite pier posts, were constructed on the east side and south side for access from the sidewalks. New walks were constructed through the reservation and paved with asphalt, and a large circle was laid off at the apex of the reservation, inclosed with a granite curbing and planted with suitable plants. The margins of the walks were sodded, the lawn surface seeded, and the grounds ornamented by planting the following trees, shrubs, and plants: One hundred and twenty seven evergreens, 152 yucca plants, 282 deciduous shrubs, 2 weeping mulberries, 2 magnolia trees, 2 weeping elms, and 275 English ivy plants. The area of walk surface in this reservation. which was paved with asphalt was 258 square yards. Three hundred and nine square yards of sod was used in the reservation.

The drinking fountain in Iowa Circle (Reservation No. 153), was repaired.

A

In Judiciary Park a new standpipe was put in place of one burst by frost and the stoppage in sewer removed. The gravel was removed from the surface of the roadway fronting the center entrance to the Pension Office building and replaced with an asphalt pavement, the area covered amounting to 551.44 square yards. The gravel removed from this roadway was used in repairing worn portions of other gravel roadways through the park. The gravel roadway on the line of F street was repaired from the entrance at Fifth street to where it joins that part of the roadway which is surfaced with asphalt. Sixty-two cubic yards of gravel were used in these last-mentioned repairs. plank walk 216 feet long and 4 feet wide was laid over the surface of the gravel walk, in bad condition, leading from Fourth and E streets to the east entrance of the court-house. A board walk 147 feet long and 4 feet wide was laid for the convenience of guests attending the inaugural ball in the Pension building, on each side of the temporary covered entrance to that building. This latter walk was removed after March 4, and the hard trodden-ground at the borders of the walks at the east entrance was spaded up and resodded. Sixty-six assorted flowering shrubs were planted at the west end and south fronts of the building where there were vacancies in the groups of shrubbery. The granite-block pavement around the entrance to the coal vault at the west end of the building was raised and a new wire guard fence was placed around the border inclosing the fountain basin at south front. One hundred and thirty-seven and fifty two one-hundredths square yards of asphalt walks in this park was resurfaced.

In Lafayette Square the iron fence around Jackson's statue was painted, water-closets overhauled, cleaned, and provided with cement floor and new fixtures. A stoppage in the 8-inch sewer was removed at northeast corner of the park. Drinking fountains were put in good order. The water-closets were painted.

One hundred and seventy eight and eight one-hundredths square yards of the asphalt walk surface in this park was resurfaced.

One hundred and nine and four-ninths square yards of sod was used in resodding worn portions of the lawn surfaces in this park.

In Mount Vernon Square the fountain works were repaired and the drinking fountain put in good order. A new walk was cut out around the base of the fountain basin in this park, also four short walks leading into it from surrounding walks, and upon these walks asphalt pavement was laid, the area covered amounting to 109.96 square yards.

Four hundred and sixty-three linear feet of new plank walk 3 feet wide was laid during the winter over gravel walks that were in bad condi tion, and fifty iron guards were placed along the grassed margins of walks where pedestrians were making unsightly trespass paths, to prevent the same.

In the President's Park (south of the Treasury Department, Executive Mansion grounds, and State Department) the most worn portions of the road surface were given a good covering of gravel and thoroughly rolled; 208 cubic yards of gravel was used in these repairs. The ground over bare places on the surface of the lawn of the ellipse was loosened and sown with lawn grass seed. The ground around the young trees and shrubbery was spaded up; a short gravel walk was made at the northeast corner of the grounds, from the present gravel walk out to the main roadway, to complete this thoroughfare. The soil taken out of the bed of this walk was utilized in filling up the low ground that had settled down over the line of the new sewer which crosses these grounds, to bring it up to the grade of the surrounding ground. Three places in the stone gutter ways, about 200 linear feet, which had settled down where this new sewer crosses them, were lifted and repaved to grade; the ground alongside of the gravel walk leading in from Fif teenth street, where there was a wide trespass, was loosened and sown with lawn-grass seed and a wire fence placed along the line of the walk to guard the same; the ground along the border of the walk leading from the main roadway out to Seventeenth street, where there was also a wide trespass, was loosened and sown with lawn grass seed and a wire fence placed along the border of the walk. A barricade was removed from each end of the gravel walk leading out from the main roadway to Seventeenth street on line with D street, and three iron posts placed at each end to prevent teams or wagons from passing over it, which they had formerly done. Six signs were placed at prominent places of travel around the ellipse, prohibiting the making of trespasses across the same; two of the gravel walks that were very much worn, at the south side of these grounds, were resurfaced; the brick apron at the entrance of roadway leading from Seventeenth street into the grounds, which was worn in holes and in bad condition, was repaved. A quantity of overgrown and unsightly shrubs were removed and 88 assorted flowering shrubs planted in their places; 76 assorted flowering shrubs and 3 deciduous trees were planted in vacant spaces around the belt of trees and shrubbery at the President's stable.

A special effort was made in October, 1896, to prevent the further destruction of the lawn of the ellipse by trespass paths and to carry out existing law and police regulations in regard to speeding bicycles on the road around the ellipse which, owing to the illness of the watchman at this park, was being used by bicyclists for "scorching." This had been carried so far that complaints were received from pedestrians and drivers of teams. Information was received that one of the police force of the city, so far from aiding to stop the practice of "scorching," actually took part in violating the regulations which it is presumed it was his duty to carry out. Four of the United States watchmen were withdrawn from other parks and directed to break up, if possible, the existing evil. As a result three bicyclists were arrested during the month. When brought before the court they were discharged on their personal bonds. The evil has continued more or less, however, during the present spring, although arrests are made from time to time. It is highly desirable that there should be legislation on the subject which will make the punishment sufficiently severe to break up this selfish

and annoying nuisance. This matter is referred to later under the heading of "Legislation."

By authority of the joint resolution approved February 13, 1896 (No. 16), these grounds were occupied by the Christian Endeavor convention during the month of July, 1896. Three mammoth tents and a number of smaller ones were erected, and electric-light poles put up on the ellipse. The beautiful lawn was cut up by wagons and horsemen, and trampled by thousands of people, damaging it considerably. At the close of the convention the committee in charge promptly removed the tents and poles, cleared up all refuse, and restored the grounds as nearly as possible to their former condition, without expense to the United States.

Heretofore, on all occasions where the lawn of this beautiful ellipse has been used for ceremonies of this character, it has been apparent that a wide walk around the parade would be a desirable feature and afford safe standing room, out of the way of passing vehicles, for spectators, as well as a path for pedestrians visiting the locality.

With this object in view it is suggested that an asphalt walk 15 feet wide be constructed around the outer portion of the ellipse, separating it from the carriage road by a parking 30 feet wide.

The American elm trees now bordering the parade would afford partial shade to this walk, as well as to the roadway. At all of the principal outlets of the park to surrounding streets wide walk openings would be made to connect with these roads for the convenience of the public. It is estimated that the approximate cost of this walk, with its approaches, necessary drains, drain lodges, etc., will be $10,500.

In Washington Circle (Reservation No. 26) new connections were made in drinking fountain and 58.76 square yards of the asphalt walk surface was resurfaced.

In Reservation No. 32 (south side of Pennsylvania avenue between Thirteen-and-a-half and Fourteenth streets west) the fountain basin recently constructed was lined with Portland cement to complete it for holding water and 11 ornamental evergreens and 3 magnolia grandiflora trees were planted.

In Reservation No. 33 (Pennsylvania avenue, Thirteenth and E streets northwest) the wire fencing around the flower beds and the fountain basin, which had broken down and become very unsightly, was removed.

In Reservation No. 70 (at Massachusetts avenue, Ninth, and K streets northwest) the inclosing iron fence which was erected many years since by the owner of the adjoining house, thus apparently including the grounds as a part of his own premises, was removed during the month of June by the agent of the present owner at the request of this office, and the reservation will now be cared for by the employees of the public grounds.

In Reservation No. 72 (at Massachusetts avenue, Sixth and I streets north west) six large deciduous shade trees, 2 evergreens, and 13 unsightly shrubs were removed, a bad trespass path across the lawn broken up and sown in grass seed, and two signs prohibiting further trespassing placed in position at each side of the reservation.

At Reservation No. 74 (Massachusetts avenue, Fifth and I streets northwest) 108.7 square yards of asphalt pavement was laid upon the surface of the gravel walks, and the ground along the margins of the new walks leveled up with soil, seeded down, and restored to the lawn surface. A border of sod was laid along the margins of the new walks, and 20 unsightly shrubs and 1 evergreen were removed.

At Reservation No. 144 (New Hampshire avenue, Seventeenth and S

streets northwest) the ground was cleaned up; 288 assorted flowering shrubs, 25 yucca plants, and 1 weeping mulberry tree planted; a flower vase placed in the center of the reservation; 8 park settees placed in position, and the ground along the borders of the walks where the grass had been worn off by pedestrians resodded, 63 square yards of sod having been used for the purpose.

At Reservation No. 174 (New York avenue and I street, between Tenth and Eleventh streets northwest) an asphalt pavement covering an area of 214.48 square yards was laid upon the surface of the gravel walks, the bare ground along the margins of the walks over about one-half of the reservation loosened, the grade raised with fresh soil, the ground sown down in grass seed, and a border of sod laid along the margins of the new walks. One large elm tree and 8 unsightly shrubs were removed. At Reservations Nos. 193 and 194 (intersection of New Jersey avenue, Second and I streets northwest), in the former slight repairs were made to the gravel walks; in the latter the gravel walks were entirely resurfaced, 22 cart loads of gravel having been used for the purpose.

Much work is still required in this beautiful section of the city. The parks should all be surrounded by granite curbings; all walks and roads should be of asphalt; the roads should have curbings and be properly drained. This is particularly true of Judiciary Park, which covers an area of about 20 acres, and the gravel roads of which are almost as much traveled as are the adjacent streets and equally subject to wear from heavily loaded teams, rendering it very difficult to maintain them in good condition for travel during the winter. The first cost of asphalt roads and granite curbings would of course be approximately large, but the subsequent saving in the cost of their maintenance would, in the course of a few years, more than compensate for the original outlay.

In all the parks the lawns, tree and shrub plantings should be well cared for and maintained in the highest degree of excellence. This will necessitate from time to time not only considerable trimming, but the removal of occasional trees and shrubs, where too thickly planted, to secure future benefits not apparent to the casual observer.

RESERVATIONS OCCUPIED FOR INAUGURAL PURPOSES.

Under the authority granted by the joint resolution of Congress (No. 8) approved February 6, 1897, permission was granted by the Secretary of War to the executive committee on the inaugural ceremonies to erect temporary viewing stands on the reservations along Pennsylvania avenue between Seventh and Seventeenth streets from which to view the parade. These stands were taken down and the materials removed in due time after the 4th of March. The débris remaining after the removal of these stands was cleaned up and carted away by the employees under this office.

Hancock Place at Pennyslvania avenue and Seventh street suffered more damage from this temporary occupation than any of the other reservations, because of the newness of the improvements therein, which had only been completed during the previous fall. The work which was necessary to be done to repair this damage and which was done by this office was as follows: The hard-trodden ground over the surface of this reservation was spaded up and resown in grass seed; 13 evergreens, 141 yucca plants, and 2 deciduous magnolia trees were planted, worn portion of the circular mound around the statue of General Hancock was spaded up and resodded, and the ground around the groups of evergreens and young flowering shrubs was spaded.

RESERVATIONS IN THE SOUTHWEST DIVISION.

This division of the public grounds embraces the area lying between First and Seventeenth streets west and B street north, and includes the large and important parks known as Henry and Seaton parks, the Smithsonian Grounds, and Monument Grounds.

The work performed in the general care of these parks and park places during the year has been about as follows: The lawns at park places and the most prominent lawns in larger parks were mown and raked weekly during the growing season. The remaining and larger part of lawns were mown and raked about three times during the same period. The young trees and shrubbery were spaded around and watered during the dry season. The flower beds were scuffled, weeded, watered, and kept trimmed to shape. The asphalt walks and roadways and flagstone walks were swept and maintained in cleanly condition. The catch basins were cleaned and brick and stone gutters weeded and cleaned as needed, the loose stone raked from roadways in piles, and the caterpillars removed from trees so infested and burned. The margins of lawns were edged and weed growth removed from all gravel roadways and walks. The deadwood and broken branches were removed from some of the trees and shrubs, and the broken branches blown from trees were collected in piles and removed from the parks. The board walks were repaired as needed. The lawn surface on angles at Monument Grounds and around statues was covered with compost, 25 cart loads being used. The flower beds were torn out in the fall, plants to be saved sent to the greenhouse, and remainder sent to dump. The large bed and two smaller beds near the entrance to the National Museum were prepared for planting, the large bed being planted with chrysanthemums and two smaller beds planted with hyacinths, tulip and crocus bulbs. The smaller beds were covered with manure as a protection during winter months. The beds not planted in fall were rough spaded. The plants and bulbs were removed from the beds in the spring and all beds manured and spaded. The park seats needing it were refastened. The leaves were raked from roadways, walks, and lawns during the fall months. There were about 25 dead trees removed from these parks.

The following damage was done to the trees in the parks in this division by the storm of September 29: Sixty-seven trees were uprooted or so badly broken as to require their removal; 232 trees were badly damaged and 222 slightly damaged; 352 cart loads of stumps and branches were hauled from the parks to the dump.

Henry and Seaton parks have an aggregate area of about 34 acres, mainly laid out in lawn surfaces, the planting of which has not yet been completed; about 3 acres only are covered by gravel road and walk surfaces. They extend from the Smithsonian Grounds to the Botanic Gardens, which in their turn join the United States Capitol Grounds, and complete the chain of parks extending from the Executive Mansion to the Capitol. In Henry Park the water service was extended during the year by laying 152 feet of 14-inch galvanized-iron pipe; 58 repaired park settees were hauled from the nursery shops and placed in these parks; gravel roadways in Henry Park were repaired; five new flower beds were made; bare places in the lawns on each side of the roadway near the bridge over Sixth street were resodded, and stake-and-wire fences erected to prevent further trespassing. In Seaton Park the water mains were repaired and calked, and the gravel roadways repaired, 149 cart loads of gravel being used for the purpose. A plank ENG 97-254