Comparative Temperature of different Years. 147 



one can hardly conceive a more lovely place of repose for the 

 dead. 



In the neighbourhood of New York, the Greenwood Cemetery 

 lately laid out for the purpose bids fair to eclipse Mount Auburn. 

 In size it is much larger, and if possible exceeds it in the diver- 

 sity of surface, and especially in the grandeur of the views. 

 Every advantage has been taken of the undulation of surface, 

 and the fine groups, masses, and thickets of trees, in arranging 

 the walks ; and there can be no doubt, when this cemetery is com- 

 pleted, it will be one of the most unique in the world. 



Laurel Hill, about two miles from the city, is the boast of the 

 Philadelphians. Instead of having been formed upon a picturesque 

 natural surface, covered with natural forest trees, this cemetery 

 was formerly an elegant country residence, bordering on the 

 Schuylkill river, and displaying a kind of gardenesque beauty 

 in the trees, shrubs, &c. Since the grounds have been applied 

 to the purpose of burial, a pretty entrance gate and cottage for 

 the superintendant, and also a neat Gothic chapel, have been 

 built. There are innumerable monuments tastefully disposed in 

 various parts of the place, and many of the small enclosures 

 surrounding these are filled with the most beautiful flowering 

 shrubs and plants. The variety of China and Noisette roses in 

 particular is very great ; and these, as well as many rare exotics, 

 are trained and kept with the greatest care. 



Beside these three principal cemeteries, thei'e are at least a 

 dozen others in progress in the neighbourhood of other cities. 

 It is remarkable that these cemeteries are the first really elegant 

 public gardens or promenades formed in this country. In point 

 of design, keeping, and in so far as respects the variety of rare 

 flowering shrubs and plants introduced, they are much superior 

 to the majority of country residences here, and may therefore be 

 considered as likely to affect in a very considerable degree the 

 general taste for laying out and embellishing grounds. Hun- 

 dreds of the citizens who ramble through them form perhaps 

 their first acquaintance with many species of plants there, and 

 apply the taste thus acquired to the improvement of their own 

 gardens. 



Botanic Garden and Nurseries, Newbiirgh, 

 near Netv York, Nov. 29. 1840. 



Art. III. On the cotnparative Temperature of different Years, and 

 its Influence on Vegetation. By N. M. T. 



We generally talk of hot years and cold years, as if in these 

 respects years materially differed from each other : but this is 

 not the case, as it appears from actual observation that the 



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