86 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



man the stone mysteriousl}' disappeared and all trace of it was 

 lost. It was afterward found on the top of a hill at Stockbridge, 

 N. Y., and placed in Forest Hill Cemetery. Among the many 

 rich and beautiful memorials that fill the cemeterj' there is none 

 more appropriate than this monument to the ancient people of 

 Central New York, the Oneida Indians. The sacred character of 

 the stone was doubtless attributed to it on account of its peculiar 

 shape as well as the fact that it is a kind of granite not generally 

 found in this part of the State. 



The new part of the grounds is laid out on the landscape-lawn 

 plan, with broad avenftes and liberal sized sections of lots, which 

 are adorned by an unusually large number of fine granite monu- 

 ments of superior design and workmanship. The Childs Memorial 

 Chapel, situated near the entrance, is church-like in form and 

 appearance. The nave only of the chapel is used for burial ser- 

 vices ; the aisles contain the tombs, one hundred and forty in 

 number. They are built in tiers, are of stone, and open from each 

 side of the chapel, but are screened from view by wooden parti- 

 tions and doors. The building thus answers the double purpose 

 of chapel and receiving tomb. 



Besides the chapel just mentioned, there is, through the munifi- 

 cence of Thomas Hopper, a combined chapel and conservatory. 

 The main body of this building is eighty by thirty-six feet, and its 

 greatest height is twenty-five feet ; in addition there is on each 

 side a "lean-to" or wing, ten feet wide, and thirteen feet high, 

 running the length of the main structure ; also a covered porch or 

 carriage- wa}'. The main portion of the building is arranged for 

 holding services, movable seats and other conveniences being 

 provided. In the wings on each side, the tropical plants are 

 arranged. There are no partitions between the wings and the 

 auditorium. I can imagine that to pa}' the last tribute of respect 

 to our dead amid such surroundings is much more comforting 

 than to perform this service in a poorly warmed chapel, or in the 

 dangerous out-door exposure of a cold climate like that usual in 

 Central New York. 



Under the superintendence of Roderick Campbell the grounds 

 have been improved and extended, and many flower beds and 

 other decorative features were noticeable. An important improve- 

 ment, which has been recently made, is the building of a reservoir, 

 holding five million gallons of water. Connected with it are a 



