178 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



fences and granite cnrbings were permitteil to surround the lots, 

 giving it more the appearance of a marble and granite yard than 

 anything else ; especially when viewed from a distance. It is not 

 until within a few years, comparatively speaking, that the land- 

 scape lawn plan has been carried out there. It certainly' is a de- 

 lightful spot ; but only imagine how much more charming a place 

 it would be, were the whole of these naturally beautiful grounds 

 brought into accordance with the intentions of its founders. 



Happily' man}' of the old unsightly hedges and fences are giving 

 way, each 3'ear, to grassy slopes and rare trees and shrubs ; so 

 that in this modern style the views of the founders are becoming 

 realized. I make these remarks in friendly criticism and not in 

 a captious spirit. 



Not long ago a lady, who owned a small lot, said to me : "I 

 want some shrubs, or plants, or both, on my lot ; what do you 

 advise?" — In the centre was set a weeping Kilmarnock Willow 

 (which can be easily removed if a monument is erected), and on 

 each front corner a plant of Yucca aloifolia ; with a Spirsea and a 

 Hydrangea placed near the back corners, in the space in the rear 

 of the lot. Properly cared for, this simple arrangement will look 

 well for years to come. 



I do not advise flower beds on lots, although many wish for 

 them, but I do think a good-sized vase, well filled, and placed in 

 the centre of the lot (especially where there is no monument), is 

 very desirable. 



So far, I have referred more particularly to small lots. Of 

 course larger ones will admit of more extended work ; but still the 

 principles for treating small lots will apply to larger ones. We 

 must remcmljcr, of course, to attain all the variety we can in the 

 embellishment introduced ; and yet also that an clfect of neatness 

 and simplicity is what we should equally strive to secure ; and 

 that anything like ostentation is entirel}' out of place. 



It is a good thing that tastes and customs change. We all feel 

 how much better it looks to see on a large lot, or indeed on a lot 

 of any size, one handsome monument, with simple markers set at 

 each grave to designate whose it is — than a quantity of head-stones, 

 some of one design and some of another, such as were once com- 

 mon. A superintendent's advice is often sought on this very 

 point. Sometimes the matter is presented in this way : " I have a 

 lot in the old part of the cemetery. I inherited it from my father. 



