Слике страница
PDF
ePub

REPORT OF CITY FORESTER.

BUFFALO, N. Y., July 1, 1908.

To the Honorable The Board of Park Commissioners: GENTLEMEN, I beg leave to submit herewith my first annual report.

Since assuming my duties on the 10th of June, the work of this Department has been necessarily limited in its scope.

A vigorous campaign has been inaugurated against the insect pests of the City's shade trees. The white marked tussock moth has been present in alarming numbers, and its depredations are everywhere visible.

To combat this voracious leaf feeder, six large spraying machines were purchased and have been in constant use during favorable weather. A stomach poison of arsenate of lead has been used exclusively and found to give excellent results. The insects have succumbed quite readily and the territory covered has been reasonably free from caterpillars.

Spraying operations in this city must necessarily be carried on under adverse conditions, owing to the preva lence of strong breezes which tend to blow the solution away from the trees, thus making the work more difficult.

It is to be regretted that the Department has been unable to answer private calls for spraying. Hundreds of people have sought aid which we were unable to give, owing to our present limited equipment. I would sug gest that another season we enter upon private grounds when requested, and spray the trees at the owner's ex

pense.

[blocks in formation]

Upon the conclusion of the spraying season, warfare was commenced on the cocoons of the tussock moth, and at present is progressing rapidly. These cocoons are gathered from the trees, fences, water plugs and all other resting places and burned. The trees thus cleaned will be kept clean by systematic banding of the trunks early in the spring before the caterpillars commence to crawl. In this connection the children of the City have been called in to help. Ten cents a quart has been offered for caterpillar eggs and cocoons, and countless millions will thus be destroyed.

Pruning operations have been started on Amherst Street, and will later be continued in other sections of the City. This work is of utmost importance and should be prosecuted vigorously. Many trees are headed low, constituting a menace to both pedestrians and passing vehicles. All dead and superfluous branches have been removed and the trees treated generally. This will overcome and do away with the great damage caused by every severe storm.

Upon the approval of Your Honorable Board several lines of work will be carried on during the coming year. An ordinance has been enacted which affords ample protection for the City's trees. It must, however, be *Denotes streets partly sprayed.

enforced. Many trees are injured daily by careless drivers who allow their horses to feed upon the trunks, thus producing ugly wounds, and working untold injury upon the trees themselves. Sidewalk contractors are ruthlessly cutting the roots; telephone, electric light and trolley feed wires are doing damage to trees all over the City. Some tradesmen find the trees a suitable support for advertising mediums, which although not as injurious as some of the above violations, do, nevertheless, detract from the natural beauty of the trees. An educational campaign must be carried on to overcome these injury producing agencies. Frequent illustrated lectures before the school children of the City will prove to be very beneficial. The child of today is the citizen of the morrow, and to inculcate in the youthful mind a knowledge and love for trees is the surest method of obtaining utopian conditions in future years.

Buffalo is very fortunate. Its many stately rows of trees excite the envy and admiration of every visitor, and are a source of constant pleasure to every citizen.

In order to perpetuate these conditions periodic planting of trees is necessary. Many streets are barren; many rows of trees are broken by wide gaps, which should be filled at once. As fast as possible the unsuitable varieties should be taken out and suitable varieties placed in their stead. It is very desirable that one, and only one, variety be planted on separate streets, thereby producing a uniform row of trees, which add greatly to the beauty of a thoroughfare.

A City nursery is necessary where large numbers of trees can be grown for street use; thereby insuring a better grade of trees at a considerably less expense than can be obtained from private nurserymen.

Many old trees are in great need of special treatment; cavities should be filled with cement, insecure limbs chained, and general pruning operations executed,

thereby preserving and prolonging the life of thees individual specimens.

Property owners must give way and adopt uniform specifications, which will eventually produce far better results and add materially to the beauty of the City. Civic pride must always be a potent factor in the care of the City's trees.

Respectfully submitted,

H. B. FILER.

REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF

PLAYGROUNDS.

To the Park Commissioners:

GENTLEMEN,-The following is a brief report of the work being done at the Terrace Playground:

There is an average daily attendance of 2,000 children, 95% of which are Italians. This number is increased during the school months; while during July and August it is considerably less.

During school months we have the co-operation of the teachers at School No. 2, who bring their scholars to the Playground and direct them in organized and gymnastic games. In the hot months, July and August, the Director has gymnastic drills in the cool basement of School No. 2.

Besides the gymnastic drills and games the Terrace Playground offers the following means of exercise and amusement for the children.

There are 18 swings, which will accommodate 72 children, and these are usually used to their capacity the entire day.

Indoor baseball is a very popular game with the boys and it is not unusual to see six games going on at the same time.

Handball is one of the most attractive games for these children, and at times, all sides of the Shelter-house are being utilized to play this game, while the regular courts are constantly in use.

Quoits is a game that is played mostly by the larger boys, and three sets are in use all day.

« ПретходнаНастави »