THE MODERN CEMETERY. 
THE MODERN CEMETERY. 
11 iLusiMifi mmiiy jhihiil otmtii n mi uteiesi he cemeieiies 
IR. J. I-I A.IG-I-I'T', F*t_a.fc>lishex', 
334 Dearborn Street, CHICAGO. 
Subscription $r.oo a Year in Advance. Foreign Subscription $1.25. 
Special Rates on Six or More Copies. 
VoL. III. CHICAGO, SEPT. 1893. No. 7. 
CONTENTS. 
ANNUAL CONVENTION OF THE ASSOCIATION OF AMERI- 
CAN CEMETERY SUPERINDENTS 73 
PERPETUAL CARE OF LOTS, T. McCarthy 74 
■►ENTRANCE TO LAKEWOOD CEMETERY, MINNEAPOLIS, 
MINN. 71; 
THE OBJECT OF OUR ASSOCIATION, O. C. Simonas ib 
♦ENTRANCETO OAKLAND CEMETERY, ST. PAUL MINN. 77 
IS FLOWER planting DESIRABLE IN THE MODERN 
CKUKT'E.RYt Bellett Lawson 77 
►CHAPEL AND CONSERVATORY, OAKLAND CEMETERY, 
ST. PAUL 79 
CONVENTION ECHOS 79 
►EDGEWOOD CEMETERY NASHUA, N. H 80 
ARCHITECTURAL FOLIAGE-A CLASSIC EPITAPH 81 
CHICAGO CEMETERIES 82 
CEMETERY NOTES 83 
PUBLISHERS DEPARTMENT 84 
►Illustrated. 
Annual Convention of the Association of American 
Cemetery Superintendents. 
For the first time in its history the Association 
of American Cemetery Superintendents held its 
annual gathering west of the Mississippi River, and 
with such gratifying results in point of attendance 
and excellence of program that there was but one 
opinion in regard to the success of the occasion. In 
accordance with the program the sessions of the 
seventh annual convention were held at the West 
Hotel, Minneapolis, commencing August 22d and 
continuing four days. After the usual preliminary 
business President Salway read his annual address 
in the course of which he said: 
The individual experience of each member present is dif- 
ferent from that of all others, consequently with a liberal ex- 
change of the varied experiences this meeting becomes a vast 
field from which we may glean the kernels of knowledge unob- 
tainable in any other way. We can, I think look back to the 
first meeting and see that each one has been of more interest 
than the one previous, and when contemplating the influence 
they exert we should be stimulated in our efforts to continue the 
good work. There is much to be done to remove, or improve 
old customs and forms now so prevalfent m cemeteries which all 
practical cemetery men know to be superfluous. I refer to lot 
inclosures, high corner marks, gravel walks between lots, elabor- 
ate grave marks, grave decoration in its various forms, fanciful 
and gorgeous floral decorations for a few summer months and 
Sunday funerals. This does not comprise the list, but will be 
sufficient to show that we must, in order to progress, be con- 
stantly at work to supplant them with that which is of a more 
permanent nature, and in harmony with the general landscape. 
There are existing customs which every one knows to be wrong 
in general, but more objectional in some places than in others; 
take for example the Sunday funeral. Considering the death 
rate of London, New York and Brooklyn and many other cities 
whose population numbers into the millions, the stopping of 
funerals for one day each week is a very serious matter and 
should be well considered before any legislative action is taken; 
but in the cities whose population will not exceed 300,000 I be- 
lieve we might set aside the Sunday funeral with good results. 
The question of cremation is still an open one and will, I think, 
adjust itself. The incineration of the human body is not grow- 
ing in favor as fast as might be expected. Yet it is quite prob- 
able that cemeteries of large cities will find it necessary to be 
provided with crematories on their own grounds. 
The making and enforcement of all rules for the good gov- 
ernment of cemeteries should be very carefully done and with 
due consideration for the feelings of those whose property and 
dead are under our care and keeping. 
The superintendent should be the possessor of a tender and 
kindly nature, having at the same time the ability of deciding 
what to do and say at the proper time, so that he may preserve 
the rules without injury or offense to the grief-stricken lot- 
owner.” 
In his annual report Secretary Etirich stated 
that a number of new members had been enrolled 
since the Baltimore meeting, the total membership 
now being 138. Financially the condition was all 
that could be desired. 
The subjects suggested for general discussion at 
this session were: ist. Is the lawn plan to be rec- 
ommended under any and all circumstances? 2nd, 
Is it essential with the lawn plan that every lot 
should border on a drive, path or alley? If so, 
what width? 3rd, What gutters are best suited for 
cemetery drains, and what are the best methods for 
keeping drives and gutters free from weeds? The 
first was answered in the affirmative; the second 
provoked considerable discussion and showed that 
there was a remarkable diversity of opinion on the 
subject of alleys and paths. It was voted that it is 
essential to the lawn plan that every lot should bor- 
der on a drive, path or alley, and that it is not 
essential to have spaces between adjoining lots. 
President Salway recommended the use of benzine 
as the most effective and least expensive method of 
keeping cobble stone gutters free from weeds. It 
should be applied with a sprinkling can. Mr. Mc- 
Carthy said he had gutters that looked almost too 
nice. On a well tamped foundation of sand he laid 
paving stone of different sizes and instead of 
putting sand in the spaces between the stones, as is 
