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Princi-ples of Landscape- Gardening 



method of using these boards is as follows. The ground is opened about 1 ft. 

 or 18 in. in depth; then the first pair of boards and ends are fixed, their 

 upper edge being 12 or 18 inches from the surface of the ground. Next, at in- 

 tervals of their own width, or closer, if the nature of the ground renders it 

 necessary, another pair of boards and ends may be fixed, and so on till the 

 grave is dug to the required depth. When the coffin has been deposited, the 

 lowest pair of boards and ends are first taken out ; and the remaining sides 

 and ends are taken out in succession as the grave is filled. Mr. Buxton, to 

 whom we are indebted for a small model from which our engraving was made, 

 and who takes a deep interest in the Nunhead Cemetery, and in the subject 

 of cemeteries generally, states that, by having the head and foot boards of 

 different sizes, graves may be made of different degrees of width, as required 

 for the different-sized coffins. The common length of the head board is 18 in., 

 and of the foot board 16 in. ; length of the side 5 ft. 2 in., and of the shorter 

 portion 2 ft. 2 in. ; making the total dimensions of the box, inside measure, 

 7ft. in length; width at the shoulders, 2ft. 4 in.: but by the use of different- 

 sized head and foot struts, as before mentioned, any size required may be 

 obtained. A great deal of labour in digging is saved by the use of these 

 boards. It may be added, that a set of side boards are kept about 6 ft. in 

 length, by which graves 5 ft. 9 in. in the clear are produced. 

 A 



Fig. 38. Plan of the Grave-Boards in use in the Tower Hamlets Cemetery. 



Fig. 38. is a plan of the grave-boards invented by Mr. Northen, as they 

 appear when placed together in the grave. One side is hinged at d, and the 

 other retained in its angular position by strong iron plates at the upper and 

 under edge at a. Both boards are fastened to the ends by iron pins, which 

 drop into eyes, as seen at the angles e e, and more distinctly in the sections 

 figs. 43. and 44. 



Fig. 39 Elevation of the Side marked D in fig. 38. 



Fig. 39. is an elevation of the side d viewed externally, showing the hinges 

 at f, and the iron hoops for preventing the boards from splitting at g g. 



Fig. 40. Elevation of the Side marked A in fig. 38, 



Fig. 40. is an elevation of the side marked a seen externally : h h, the 

 top and bottom stiffening plates. 



