242 TRANSACTIONS OF THE HORTICULTURAL 



of mounds and stone-work. (Jne good monument with a small head- 

 stone to each grave is sufficient for any lot, and presents a much 

 better appearance than a greater number of pieces of stone-work. 

 Hedges, railings and stone coping should not be allowed, as they are 

 not oiily a useless expense, but detract very much from the beauty of 

 the grounds. Even when they look well at first they soon suffer 

 from neglect and decay, and render the work of keeping the grounds 

 in order very expensive. 



Trees should be planted on spaces reserved for them, few if any 

 large ones being set on the lots themselves, where they are apt to in- 

 terfere with graves and monuments. Small trees, shrubs and flowers 

 may be planted on the lots, and can be removed if it becomes neces- 

 sary. 



The spaces reserved for ornamental purposes should be as large 

 as possible consistent with a profitable management of the cemetery. 

 This will give some chance for artistic effect in the grouping of the 

 trees; which should of course be planted by the authorities. 



Grravel walks are to be avoided as they do not usually add to the 

 beauty of the place and are difficult to keep free from weeds. Grass 

 is the chief ornament of a lawn or park, and much of the beauty of 

 the cemetery will depend on the care taken to keep it mown. This 

 work can be cheaply and well done where the grounds are laid out as 

 above described, but it is impossible to do it well when they are full 

 of obstructions. 



Flower-planting should be encouraged, and may be done by the 

 lot-owners. As it needs to be done every year it tends to keep up an 

 interest in the place; while if neglected at any time there is little 

 left to become an eyesore. Other improvements should usually be 

 made under the direction of the superintendent, as lot-owners often 

 do not use much taste or judgment in such matters. 



While it is well to interfere as little as possible with individual 

 tastes and preferences, it will be necessary to place some restrictions 

 on the character of the improvements made by them, and the good 

 of the cemetery will require rules and regulations that will generally 

 be cheerfully complied with when well understood. 



Every endeavor must be made to keep the grounds in perfect 

 order. The value of the improvements depends greatly on this one 

 thing, and nothing will make up for neglect in this particular. 

 Therefore all work done should be of a ])ermament character; any- 

 thing that soon falls into decay being a useless expense. 



In conclusion, I earnestly request all to interest themselves in 

 this matter, for it is usually one of great importance and one that 

 demands thought and practical work on the part of some one in every 

 town and village in our country. 



