CEMETERIES AND PARRS. 85 



indicate the lavish use of means to decorate the beautiful city of 

 the dead. It has been remarked b}- visiting superintendents of 

 other cemeteries that the number of important memorial erections 

 in Oakwood exceeds that of any other cemetery in the country in 

 proportion to its size. Nature has been so lavish in its adornment 

 and so much skill has been employed in landscape gardening that 

 praise cannot fail to be sincere along these lines." 



This account of Oakwood is by no means too strongly drawn. 

 There are several lakes in different parts of the grounds, adding 

 to the attractiveness and interest of the place, while the planting 

 of the shrubs and herbaceous plants is in excellent taste. The 

 rearrangement of the old or early occupied part of the cemetery, 

 by the removal of iron fences and hedges ; sodding up useless 

 walks ; removal of overgrown trees and shrubs and planting anew, 

 has made it nearly as attractive as the newer part. Superintendent 

 Boetcher, who has charge of Oakwood, was formerly with Adolph 

 Strauch, at Cincinnati. 



Forest Hill Cemetery, Utica, N. Y. We were very much 

 interested in visiting this cemetery, for here we received our first 

 instruction in cemeterj' duties. Our particular interest naturally 

 centred in that part of the grounds where many, well known to 

 us in the walks of life, now repose, their monuments and tablets 

 informing us that they have passed from earthly scenes. The 

 extent of the grounds owned by the association is two hundred 

 and fifty acres, of which one hundred and ten acres are improved 

 and occupied. The situation cannot be excelled ; one of the best 

 outlooks for pleasing views is here obtained, commanding the city 

 and surrounding country, with its great wealth of natural beauty. 

 From many elevated points the distant views are very fine, show- 

 ing the magnificent valleys and the hills beyond. The outlook in 

 every direction is very interesting, and on a clear day nothing more 

 beautiful than the views from Forest Hill can be conceived. 



Many people visiting the cemetery have noticed a peculiar 

 granite boulder, on a little mound, near the entrance, and have 

 wondered what it was and wh}' it was there. This is the famous 

 Oneida Stone which was held in great reverence by the Oneida 

 Indians. It was fabled to have fallen from heaven as a special 

 gift of the Manitou to their tribe. Their councils of war were 

 held around it, as it was supposed to bring them success against 

 their enemies. When the tribe fell under the rule of the white 



