PARKS, PUBLIC SQUARES, SCHOOL- YARDS, ETC. 133 



at frequent intervals should be provided if a supply of 

 running water can be obtained, for the best growth of lawn, 

 shrubs, or plants cannot be obtained, especially in time of 

 drouth, without ics frequent use. If the supply of water 

 is sufficient, sprinklers should be kept playing on some part 

 of the lawns all the time during extreme dry weather. The 

 quiet lakelet, the rippling brook, and the fountain are 

 features that are especially appropriate for cemetery decora- 

 tion. 



Renovating Old Cemeteries. 



Many of the old cemeteries of the country are of especial 

 historic interest, as they often contain the only records to 

 be found of much of our history, written on the tombstones 

 found therein, and every effort should be made to save them 

 from oblivion and make them pleasant features of our sur- 

 roundings. 



Not having been laid out in any formal style with walks, 

 drives, etc., most of them present very favorable conditions 

 for renovation to at least neatness and some show of quiet 

 beauty. There are generally no boundary-stones to mark 

 each lot, and the best and simplest way to produce beauti- 

 ful results is to level down all mounds and projections with 

 sharp spades, fill up all depressions with good soil, and 

 make the surface a smooth and green lawn. After levelling 

 and smoothing up the surface a dressing of fine rich com- 

 post or fertilizer should be given and an abundance of fine 

 lawn grass-seed be sown and raked in. The headstones 

 should then be placed in position, cleaning, repairing, and 

 relettering such as are becoming obscure. The moss and 

 lichens which indicate their age, however, should not be 

 destroyed if it can be avoided. The trees, shrubs, and 



