THE MODERN CEMETERY. 
77 
ENTRANCE TO OAKLAND CEMETERY, ST. PAUL, MINN. 
time of whoever may read it. So long as we live up to our con- 
stitution and make these annual meetings add to our knowledge 
and efficiency and so indirectly improve our cemeteries and the 
tastes of those who use them, our society will prosper and its in- 
fluence will continue to grow. But when the idea of our indi- 
vidual enjoyment takes precedence, the best days of the society 
will have passed. 
The closing paper of the evening was read by 
Bellett Lawson of Oakwoods Cemetery, Chicago, 
on the subject: 
IS FLOWER PLANTING DESIRABLE IN THE MODERN 
CEMETERY. 
The desirability of planting flowers in cemeteries is a very 
debatable question and full of interest to superintendents. So 
much depends upon the surroundings. By flowers is meant 
annuals, perennials and other flowers used in florists’ work. 
Let us take a burial ground conducted strictly upon the 
lawn system, say for instance, Spring Grove Cemetery, Cincin- 
nati, where every surrounding indicates quietness and repose. 
The beautifully kept lawns or open spaces surrounded by of 
dotted with trees and shrubs bearing foliage of different hues and 
shades of green. Each of those lawns or spaces are beautiful 
pictures in themselves. The trees being planted to throw light 
and shade on the sward, heightens the beauty of the picture and 
the effect upon the spectator is soothing and commands silent 
admiration. The very sombreness of the surroundings indicates 
repose, and the mind immediately associates itself with the idea 
of the suitability of the cemetery as a final resting place . 
Beds planted with brightly colored flowers upon such lawns 
would be extremely out of harmony with the surroundings and 
would not be desirable. 
Flower planting, no matter how artistically the work is done, 
is palpably artificial and in the majority of cemeteries out of 
place. A modern cemetery should appear as natural as pos- 
sible. 
Imagine a nicely graded section adorned with trees and 
shrubs; the landscape artist has expended his energies in making 
it appear as perfectly natural as possible. A lot-owner whose 
portion is probably in the most prominent part, conceives the 
idea of having a bed upon, or a border around his lot. The graves 
are also adorned with foliage plants until the lot has the appear- 
ance of what a brother superintendent justly describes a crazy 
patch-work quilt. No doubt the work is artistic but it does not 
harmonize with the surroundings and to the trained eye of a 
landscape gardener the effect is harsh in the extreme. Lot- 
owners, as a rule, care nothing for the harmonious appearance 
of the whole. To the individual lot is what they desire to draw 
attention. 
One great aim of a cemetery superintendent should be to 
educate the people to the fact that “in simplicity there is beauty.” 
That a cemetery should look natural and park-like, and that the 
general appearance of the whole should be studied rather than 
any particular spot. A stupendous task, more especially in locali- 
ties where the resident migrates from parts where the modern 
cemetery system is unknown. To their minds the old country 
churchyard with its heterogeneous mass of flowers and vegetation 
is beautiful and exactly what a burial ground should be. A few 
days ago the writer counted no less than 34 plants of different 
varieties (including mint) upon a four-foot grave. Nothing can 
persuade the owner that it is not the most beautiful grave in the 
cemetery. 
To prevent this class of ornamentation (?) will require 
stringent rules, the enforcement of which means unpopularity 
and few officials care to have their cemeteries unpopular. Several 
who have tried arbitrary rules in this direction have had to 
modify them in obedience to public feeling. 
There are many first-class cemeteries where flower planting 
is extensively practiced. These are now being styled flower 
garden cemeteries. The question of the desirability of flower 
planting is settled as far as they are concerned. 
There are also burial grounds where flower planting would 
prove an improvement, but these places can scarcely be classed 
among the lawn cemeteries. They are simply grave yards. No 
great amount of landscape work having been lavished in their 
construction and the management is a sort of “go as you please.” 
Then again there is the dollars and cents side of the question. 
In the majority of cemeteries, both large and small, the desire to 
make money is paramount, and what should be has to give way 
to the mighty dollar. So few can afford to sacrifice caste to sen- 
timent, and as most ' cemeteries are conducted for the money 
there is in them, Sower planting will be encouraged. It is busi- 
ness, simply business. 
Where flower planting is considered desirable study should 
be given to the use, as much as possible, of dwarf growing plants, 
and such as bear flowers quiet in color, for in few instances do 
the brighter colors harmonize with the surroundings of a burial 
