200; total, 410 tons. An accurate statement of this year's tonnage can not be had to date on account of much of it being recently stacked, but the approximate tonnage is as follows: Slough Creek, 136; Yanceys, 52; Gardiner, 64; total, 252; including Buffalo Ranch, grand total, 1924, hay crop, 552 tons.

Further hay ranch activities consist of the following: Slough Creek, 25 acres plowed, put under irrigation, and seeded to oats; harvested, replowed, and seeded to grass. Yanceys, 50 acres plowed, put under irrigation, and seeded to oats; harvested, replowed, and seeded to grass.

One thousand one hundred feet of flume was constructed at Yanceys.

PREDATORY ANIMALS

During the year 226 coyotes were killed.

NATURAL FEATURES OF THE PARK

Observations of wild life, geysers, and hot spring activities, forests, flowers, birds, etc., have been made by Park Naturalist E. J. Sawyer and rangers and are briefly reported as follows:

Game conditions.-Game conditions have been excellent throughout the year. The drought conditions of May and June (the driest of record) retarded materially the forage growth on the principal winter ranges, but unusually heavy rainfall throughout the month of July gives reasonable assurance of adequate forage for the approaching winter season. The losses last winter were unusually moderate and on the whole did not exceed the loss of the preceding year, which was placed at 2 per cent.

Buffalo, tame herd.-Twelve buffalo bulls of fine proportions were kept at Mammoth Hot Springs for show purposes throughout the summer season. Other remarks in connection with the tame herd will be noted in the paragraph relating to the Buffalo Ranch.

Buffalo, wild herd.-Reports during the past year do not indicate any material increase in the wild buffalo herd. However, we have no reason to believe that the total count of the preceding year (76) is not a fair statement of the herd total at this time. Mountain sheep.---Ranger reports during the past winter show an actual count of 217. We believe, however, that the total number of sheep in the park is not less than 600. Antelope-Antelope have done well. The losses for the season were 5 and the total of the herd less the losses is 320, which shows a substantial increase over the total of 253 reported for the preceding year. All reports indicate a normal increase this season. The antelope range was patroled by two rangers throughout the winter

season.

Moose. Actual counts last season totaled 121 and they were reported from all sections of the park. The estimated total for the park is 385. Information has been received that the permits will not be issued to kill moose in Wyoming this fall, so a substantial increase in their numbers is anticipated for next year. The total for the park must now be close to 450.

Deer.-White-tail deer are extremely limited as to numbers and are rarely seen. The total reported during the past year was 8-1 at Mammoth and 7 in the Deep Creek country east of the Yellowstone River. The one at Mammoth was accidentally killed. Mule deer are increasing throughout the park: 314 were actually seen last winter. This is probably less than one-fifth the mule deer in the park. There must be from 1,500 to 1.800 mule deer in this reservation.

Elk. The elk losses during the past winter were very moderate and the calving season was unusually favorable. Full counts were not had on the elk herds last spring, but substantial increases in the herd totals of the preceding season are assured We believe that the northern herd, including the Gallatin & Madison herds, now totals about 20.000 head.

Black bears.-It was not unusual to see as many as 25 bears on the usual and customary tour of the park; the blacks and browns were most commonly seen, as they particularly frequented the main traveled ways. More than the usual number of cubs were observed. We believe there are close to 200 black bear in the park.

Grizzly bears.-This animal was seen in greater numbers than last year. They were commonly seen at the feeding grounds at Canyon and as many as 17 were counted at one time. They do not frequent the mainly traveled ways and are seldom seen before sundown. Grizzly cubs were observed in more than the usual numbers during the past season. There must be at least 60 in the park. Beaver are increasing in all sctions of the park that are suited to their special requirements.

Rabbits and other small animals.-There is no particularly noticeable increase in the small animals inhabiting the park excepting, perhaps, the ground squirrel (gopher), which has come to be a nuisance in some localities. Áll small animals are plentiful and were commonly observed with interest by park visitors throughout the season. Birds. The bird life of the park is, in general, about the same as in the past year. The interest in bird life has been much stimulated and added to by the new collection of eggs and nests of local species, a small collection of bird skins and several water color drawings of park birds. The drawings illustrate 23 species.

Trees. There has been very considerable damage to the forests by certain defoliating insects and the Douglas fir bark beetle. The heaviest damage by the defoliators is in the West Yellowstone region where hundreds of acres of lodgepole pine have been destroved and a much larger area seriously affected. Spraying operations have been carried on for several miles along the West Yellowstone road, under direction of Dr. F. C. Craighead. and Dr. J. C. Evenden, entomologists of the United States Department of Agriculture.

The spruce budworm defoliator continued active in the Hellroaring region and on Crescent Hill. Spraying will be necessary next year to keep this defoliator from destroving trees along the Grand Loop Road above Camp Roosevelt.

The Douglas fir bark beetle is being fought in forests about Camp Roosevelt.

Flowers. The wild flowers, remarkably varied and abundant, occur in undiminished numbers in all their established habitats. They remain one of the chief attractions of the park.

GEYSERS AND HOT SPRINGS

Mammoth Hot Springs.-Angel terrace, formerly active, is nearly dry. The activity of Jupiter terrace seems to have shifted toward the west. The Butterfly, sometimes called the Canary, an old terrace, has renewed its activity and is increasing in size and attractiveness. Cleopatra terrace is drying. Hymen terrace is spreading northward. There is new activity on Highland terrace.

Norris Geyser Basin -In general about as usual. Constant Geyser, which suddenly stopped erupting in 1923, occasionally resumed activity.

Lower Geyser Basin.-Conditions substantially as usual.

Upper Geyser Basin.-Old Faithful has played at intervals averaging about 62 or 63 minutes, but varying considerably. Restless Geyser was active this season, and the Bee Hive played after the Giantess as usual. There were two eruptions of the Giantess. The Oblong was more active this year than usual. Total activity in the basin apparently about average.

West Thumb.-There are one or two new springs near the Lake Shore Geyser. The Fishing Cone is accessible by land connection, no board or other bridge being needed to reach it, owing to low water.

INFORMATION DEPARTMENT

Thirty thousand six hundred and seventy-seven people visited the information office at headquarters during the season: 2,870 in June; 13,344 in July; 12,528 in August; and 1.935 in September. Compare the total of 30,677 with 33,822 visitors to the information office in 1923 and 30.289 in 1922. During the season at the information office and at the ranger stations in the park 83,560 free publications regarding the park were distributed and 5.501 Government publications, including 874 portfolios were sold. Compare this total sale with 6,792 publications, including 1,081 portfolios disposed of last year. In addition 1,041 books of other publishers were sold.

Lecture service. The lecture service at Mammoth was performed by Park Ranger W. J. Cribbs, who delivered 3 lectures each evening before audiences totaling approximately 68,000. Lectures were similarly conducted at Old Faithful and were attended by approximately 36,000 persons.

Guide service.--Two guides were maintained at Mammoth and two at Old Faithful. each man conducting two parties a day over the formations. Eleven thousand and eight visitors were guided over the formation at Mammoth Hot Springs and 27,701 over the formations at the Upper Geyser Basin, making a total of 38,709. Dr. Henry S. Conard, park ranger, performed the duties of nature guide in the Tower Falls district and a total of 1,883 persons availed themselves of the nature-guide services during the course of the

season.

ELECTRICAL DEPARTMENT

Electric system.- -The following table shows the total production of the power plant and disposition of current as compared with similar data for the fiscal year 1923. The peak load for the year was 124 kilowatts as compared with 124 kilowatts last year.

1922-23

1923-24

Total production in kilowatt hours.

Sold to park utilities.

Consumed for street lighting.

Balance, consumed by Government buildings, for power and lighting, lost on lines, etc...

Telephone system.-New line Mammoth to Norris, 20 miles. Twenty-five-foot cedar poles used, each pole with two 8-pin cross-arms; 10 wires to be strung for the present, 4 for hotel company and 6 for Park Service; the line being constructed jointly by hotel company and Park Service and is located as much as possible out of view of the road. in a swath cut through the timber parallel to and 80 feet from the road. The two present unsightly lines will be removed. Line being constructed as a matter of heavy maintenance and replacement, and will be continued next year to Yellowstone Lake, and following year to Old Faithful. One additional wire is being strung on poles between Old Faithful and West Yellowstone, and beginning at the 7-mile post from Norris towards Madison Junction to the Firehole River, thereby changing the line from a grounded circuit to a metallic circuit.

PAINTING DEPARTMENT

The master painter and his assistants painted exterior and interior of the hospital, 10 large structures, a number of small buildings, roofs, etc. Painted equipment, including 8 sprinklers. 10 freight trucks, and a number of wagons. Over 800 new signs were painted and old signs were retouched, relettered, and overhauled. All fire-alarm boxes were painted, glass lettered, and the interior of quarters were redecorated during the winter months.

MECHANICAL DEPARTMENT

The mechanical department maintained 42 trucks and 9 automobiles, a steam shovel, a caterpillar engine, compressors, pumps, and sundry engines; repaired road machinery and equipment including gravel loaders, graders, drags, dump wagons, etc.; repairs to shovels, picks, and sundry other road and fire tools. Between seven and eight hundred horses were shod.

The carpenter made repairs to buildings, built bodies for freighting trucks, assisted in building 6 additional sprinklers which were motorized, brake blocks for dump wagons. erected fire siren, and alarm boxes, and built a number of earth toilet buildings, etc.

A maximum of 7 and a minimum of 5 men were employed in the shops.

PROPERTY AND TRANSPORTATION

Under the direction of the steward and master of transportation 2,222 tons of material, equipment, and supplies were moved from railroad terminals to headquarters. From headquarters 11 trucks were operated through the park supplying road camps, construction camps, etc. The total mileage of the trucks was approximately 55,000. A maximum of 15 men were engaged in the warehouse and in the transportation work.

IMPROVEMENTS BY PUBLIC UTILITIES AND INDIVIDUAL OPERATORS

Yellowstone Park Camps Co.-Mammoth: Completion construction of main building; constructed large coal house; warehouses reconstructed and painted; 4 new flush-toilet buildings constructed; 52 new 2-room and 21 new 1-room frame lodges erected; barn and large corral constructed for saddle horses: landscape work begun in front of main building. Improved fire protection at four different places, each place being equipped with standpipes and about 250 feet of 2-inch hose.

Old Faithful: Old service buildings torn down and large main building erected, including large dining room with spacious veranda overlooking Old Faithful Geyser, modern kitchen. large commissary, refrigerating plant, and ice-making machinery, butcher shops, pantry coolers, etc., constructed a large dormitory for girls. Erected new boiler house and installed 80-horsepower boiler. 62-horsepower engine and 5-kilowatt generator, steam pump. etc. Two new flush-toilet buildings erected; 25 new 2-room and 25 new 1-room lodges built; established fire protection similar to that at Mammoth.

Lake Camp: Additions to side and rear of kitchen; large loading platform built; 2 new flush-toilet buildings constructed; 27 2-room and 25 1-room lodges built; erected new buildings for housing of camp tools and excess equipment; fire protection established.

Canyon Camp: Extension to curio shop; building erected for housing tools. etc.; 2 new flush-toilet buildings erected; 2 new dormitories erected for employees: 30 new 2room and 26 new 1-room lodges constructed; sewerage line from septic tank extended; new engine and power house built.

Camp Roosevelt: New building erected to serve in winter as caretaker's quarters and in summer as manager's office and residence: 3 2-room and 3 1-room lodges built; considerable improvement to old lodges accomplished.

Cody Road Lodge: Erected new main building, housing lobby, verandas, dining room, kitchen, employees' dining room, bakery, pantry, storehouse, flush toilet rooms. Five 2-room and 5 1-room lodges erected for overnight tourists; 10 2-room and 6 1-room bungalow lodges erected for employees' quarters.

Yellowstone Park Hotel Co.-Mammoth: Built entire new kitchen and installed all new equipment and 20-ton refrigerator plant. Extended old dining room, doubling its capacity. Much improvement work was done, including installation of new light fixtures, new fire escapes, radiation in dining room, laundry tubs, lavatories, bath tubs, freight and linen elevators, fire equipment, etc. Added 20 rooms to girls' dormitory and built new mens' dormitory. Thirty rooms of hotel redecorated. New barber shop and beauty parlor built.

Old Faithful: Installed new lavatories, new electric generating plant, electrical equipment, increased water supply, and made other miscellaneous improvements.

Lake Completed new wing of hotel: kitchen rebuilt new kitchen equipment installed capacity of dining room increased 50 per cent, old part of building replastered, rekalsomined and rewired, and lobby remodeled. Many other improvements have been made, including installation of new lavatories. radiation in dining room, new 80-kilowatt electric generator, two 100-horsepower boilers, electrical equipment, fire escapes and other fire equipment, etc. Two-story girls' dormitory, consisting of 57 rooms, erected. Canyon Installed 285 lavatories, necessitating replastering, painting, and kalsomining, new electrical kitchen equipment, fire-fighting and other miscellaneous equipment. Sanitation improvements made.

Yellowstone Park Transportation Co.-Purchased the following new equipment: 60 11-passenger White busses; 7 White touring cars: 2 2-ton White trucks: 1 5-ton White truck with gasoline tank; 7 Ford trucks; 1 Ford roadster; 30 new windshields, 100 new speedometers. Overhauled entire fleet of 250 cars. New repair shop and storage house for gas and oil completed at Tower Falls. Additions to bunk houses and mess houses at Mammoth, West Yellowstone, and Canyon. moth machine shop and garage situated near Gardiner. provements made.

Work begun on new mamNumerous miscellaneous im

J. E. Haynes, official photographer.-At Canyon, erected of logs a 60 by 68 feet picture shop, completely outfitted, including display and sales room, complete finishing plant, with latest power equipment, housing and mess quarters for 10 employees; at Mammoth a new dormitory erected, 30 by 40 feet frame construction, housing 17 men. At Tower Falls private electric-light plant and refrigerating plant installed. New equipment consists of 2-ton White truck, 16-foot copper-riveted cedar boat equipped with Evinrude motor for lake and river photographing, also trailer for same; Naturalists Graflex camera, panorama camera, small portable hand camera, etc.; additional improvements installed in Mammoth finishing plant. All shops have been refinished and painted.

Henry P. Brothers.-Thirty-foot reinforced concrete extension to swimming pool 5% to 8 feet deep, 142 feet long, and concrete dressing room and observation platform with 39 dressing rooms 3 feet 6 inches by 5 feet; 24 feet by 50 feet of original swimming pool cut off and made into wading pool for children, 2 to 21⁄2 feet deep; 1,000 feet 10-inch wood stave pipe line.

George Whittaker, merchant.-Two sleeping rooms and bathroom added to Canyon store building; new gas pumps and tanks (capacity 5,000 gallons) installed at Canyon and Mammoth; new garage erected at Mammoth on site of old garage; new frame building covered with canvas, 43 feet by 32 feet, erected in public automobile camp at Mammoth, used as summer branch store.

C. A. Hamilton, merchant.-New frame store with log trim erected at Lake Fishing Bridge and filling station with 5,000-gallon tank completed at this point; new lighting fixtures and miscellaneous improvements installed at Lake store; new log-trim store with 80-foot frontage erected at Thumb and filling station with 5,000-gallon tank; float constructed for care of rowboats in conjunction with boat company. A new wing has been added to the Old Faithful store and the building is now 160 feet by 110 feet, the largest store in the national park system. In the Hamilton stores a special effort has been made throughout the season to keep prices on staple products at a minimum, and many favorable comments have resulted.

Park curio shop.-On Mammoth Hot Spring terraces established a soft drink booth and an experimental delicatessen stand in the Mammoth auto camp.

FRANCHISES AND PERMITS

A new

There were but two changes in the franchises of the long-term public utilities. contract covering the operation of a curio shop and delicatessen stand was granted to Pryor & Trischman extending over a period of 10 years from January 1, 1924. A new contract was also granted to Mr. H. P. Brothers to operate a bathhouse at Upper Geyser Basin, extending over a period of 10 years from January 1, 1924.

DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE-UNITED STATES COMMISSIONER'S COURT

Hon. John W. Meldrum, commissioner since 1894, held court whenever there were cases to be tried. During the year 34 cases were tried by the commissioner. There were 25 convictions and 4 acquittals; 4 were bound over to United States district Court, and 1 case pending. A total of $660 in fines, exclusive of costs, was imposed on defendants found guilty. There were 16 cases involving violations of speed regulations, 2 cases of burglary, 2 cases of larceny, 10 violations of the Federal prohibition act, 1 case of assault, 2 cases defacing natural phenomena, and 1 case of unlawful possession of traps.

POST OFFICE DEPARTMENT

Mr. C. T. Hansen, post-office inspector for this district, visited the park during the winter and made plans for the transfer of the post office to larger quarters during the busy months of the tourist season. This change will take effect before the opening of the 1925 season.

Business has increased in proportion to the increase in travel.

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Geological Survey.-Water Resources Branch: Continued its observation and inspection of gauging stations on park streams. Installed a cable and other equipment as part of permanent automatic gauging station on Lamar River; also established permanent staff gauge at this point.

General Land Office.-On August 25, 1924, sold the town of West Yellowstone under the land laws.

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Bureau of Fisheries.-Broke brilliant egg harvest, hatching and fish planting record of last year. This year gathered 32,000,000 eggs, of which 8,626,000 were planted in the park as eyed eggs, and 6,398,000 as fry. Shipped 13,456,000 to adjoining States, to other national parks, and to certain national forests. District Supervisor C. F. Culler in charge.

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Weather Bureau.-The work of the bureau was continued under Observer E. H. Fletcher.

Bureau of Entomology.-Detailed Dr. F. C. Craighead and Dr. J. C. Evenden, entomologists, to continue the study of forest conditions in the park, and extensive spraying operations were conducted under their supervision in the West Yellowstone district during the summer season.

Bureau of Biological Survey and Forest Service.-Cooperated, in June, in a special study of elk range conditions in and adjacent to the park. Maj. E. A. Goldman in charge of survey.

TREASURY DEPARTMENT

Public Health Service.-Continued its cooperative work, Sanitary Engineer H. B. Hommon in general charge, and Associate Sanitary Engineer I. W. Mendelsohn in charge here. Surveyed lines for Canyon automobile camp sewer system, designed system, and

ordered materials; surveyed lines from Canyon Hotel reservoir to Cascade Lake. from Iron Creek to Old Faithful Inn, and from Transportation Company quarters to Canyon Hotel; directed mosquito control measures; collected and shipped water samples; inspected automobile camps, garbage, and refuse dump, swimming pools, etc.; operated 5 chlorinators and 5 septic tanks; Dr. J. M. Wolfe, acting assistant surgeon, inspected sanitation of hotels, camps, etc., and general health of the community.

Prohibition service. The Federal prohibition director for Montana cooperated splendidly in enforcement of the Volstead Act, detailing special and secret agents to West Yellowstone and Gardiner, and occasionally, on request, sending them into the park.

PUBLICITY

Through the cooperation of the public utilities, Lawrence Martin, formerly head of the United Press Service in Washington, D C., was secured to direct park publicity, and out of the abundance of bis experience and great ability obtained for the park most gratifying results.

OPENING OF THE PARK

The opening ceremonies were held on June 20 at the north entrance under the auspices of the Livingston Chamber of Commerce and the Upper Yellowstone Valley Citizens Association. President L. E. Flint, of the Livingston Chamber of Commerce, presided. Music was by the Gateway City Band. The speakers were Hon. T. L. Oddie, United States Senator from Nevada; Hon. Joseph M. Dixon, Governor of Montana; and Capt. John R. Quinn, National Commander of the American Legion. Commander Quinn delivered the principal address, pleading for the preservation of the national parks and the general conservation of our natural resources, and then swung open the chain that formally opened the Yellowstone for the 1924 season. All of the speakers stressed the importance of the national parks as Americanizing influences and advocated their protection and wise development.

DEATH OF EX-PARK SUPERINTENDENTS

During the year four ex-superintendents of Yellowstone died-Col. F. A. Boutelle, superintendent 1889-1891; Brig. Gen. James B. Irwin, superintendent 1897-1899; Lieut. Gen. S. B. M. Young, superintendent 1897 and 1907-8; and Col. H. C. Benson, 1908-10. VITAL STATISTICS

There were 4 births and 10 deaths in the park during the year.

HOSPITAL AND MEDICAL SERVICE

During the winter the park hospital, closed since 1918 when evacuated by the Army, was reconditioned and equipped for service. It was leased to Dr. G. A. Windsor, surgeon of Livingston, Mont., who was also made supervising surgeon of the park. Equipment was furnished by Doctor Windsor in part, and in part from Government supplies. A section of the hospital was fully equipped for contagious cases. Splendid surgical and hospital service was rendered. The following cases were cared for 1 insane; 6 scarlet fever; 4 diphtheria; 15 major accidents; 50 medical; 25 major surgicals; and 15 minor surgicals.

Dr J. M. Wolfe continued to render service to Government employees under contract and to engage in general practice. He attended to 275 house calls and 350 office calls during the year.

SCHOOL

School opened September 4, 1923, and closed May 13, 1924. There was an average enrollment of 16 pupils-11 girls and 5 boys; teacher, Mrs. Jessie L. Cummings. The school was maintained by private subscription.

RELIGIOUS SERVICES

Services were held in the chapel at least twice and sometimes three or four times every Sunday during the tourist season. Congregational, Baptist, English Lutheran, Episcopal, Methodist, and Catholic services were conducted.

RECOMMENDATIONS

1. That the park be extended to include the Teton Mountains, headwaters of the Yellowstone, and other country naturally belonging to the park.

2. That all irrigation and other projects that would result in exploitation of the park be condemned and killed as they are proposed.

3. That a new fish hatchery be built at Lake Yellowstone and fully equipped. present hatchery is inadequate in every respect and unsightly in the extreme.

The

4. That more funds be provided for upkeep of roads, trails, telephone lines, and other improvem nts; for the ranger service; for the buffalo and other ranches; for general sanitation; and for public camp grounds.

YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK

W. B. LEWIS, Superintendent, Yosemite, Calif.

GENERAL STATEMENT

The Yosemite National Park, when created by the act of October 1, 1890 (26 Stat.. 650), was situated in Tuolumne, Mariposa, Madera, and Mono Counties, Calif., and covered an area of about 1,512 square miles, being 36 miles wide by about 40 miles long. Under the act approved February 7, 1905, 542.88 square miles were excluded and 113.62 square miles were added to the park, making a net reduction in area of