The Canadian Horticulturist. 



53 



IMPROVEMENT IN THE COUNTRY CEMETERY. 



HIS was the title of a paper read by Mr. A. M. Sargent, of Akron, 

 Ohio, before the Association of American Cemetery Superintendents. 

 After speaking of the various plans which are adopted in establishing 

 graveyards, and objecting strongly to private family burial places, and 

 also many of those connected with churches which have fallen into a 

 badly neglected state, he advocates that the churchyard or village 

 cemetery should be remodelled in its management. There should be a 

 sufficient charge for each lot or grave to cover the permanent care of every lot 

 sold, and an investment be made in such a way as to insure proper care for all 

 time. He thinks that those who are most interested in the graveyard, lot holders, 

 should be the controllers of its management. 



The site should be laid far enough away from the possible growth of a town 

 or a village, so not to be encroached upon in the course of time, and the size may 

 vary from five to twenty acres, according to requirements. An elevated bank of 



Fig. 505. The Cemetery as it too often i.- 



a river or lake is a desirable site, but, next to this, a gently undulated piece of 

 ground where quiet views may easily be made. 



Roadways, in his opinion, should be twelve to eighteen feet wide, following 

 the base of undulating surface as much as possible. This will give curved lines 

 and add to the beauty. Lot sections should follow lines of the roadways, but 

 begin far enough back to secure a border in order that trees may be planted 

 without interfering with either the road or the lots. Irregular spaces may be left 

 throughout all sections for trees in addition. 



Lots may be of various sizes, but, as a rule, front lots should not be less than 

 sixteen feet square. Every second row of lots ought to be separated by a path- 

 way at least five feet in width which should be reached by a path from the 



