THE MODERN CEMETERY. 
95 
':^l©orfe5poiTe!ence.{^ 
Vacation Reminiscences. 
Since the organization of the Association of American Cem- 
etery Superintendents, the annual vacation is looked forward to 
with much pleasure, not alone from the mere fact that we are to 
meet at the convention in formal shape, but because of the more 
acceptable social greeting. Were we to measure the usefulness 
of the association by the gains made only at the meetings, 1 
think it would take but a short time to wind up. Although I 
recognize its great value, the social chat and exchange of views 
in the hotel corridors, the drives to various places of interest, 
visiting cemeteries and parks, are all means of usefulness, on ac- 
count of opportunities for practical thought and suggestions which 
we are enabled to apply in our daily duties. 
With these thoughts in our mind, we left our eastern home 
Aug. 19, with the anticipation of the happiest greetings from our 
brother co-workers. Our journey was very pleasant, the com- 
pany of the jovial V. P. adding no little to the occasion. Our 
ride through the states was one of rare enjoyment. The beauti- 
ful scenery, more readily enjoyed than described, added greatly 
to the pleasure of the first day’s trip. Our first stop was at 
Lowell, which is often called the Spindle City and the Man- 
chester of America, because of the extent of its cotton manufac- 
tures. Here we liave a member, K. H. Mulno. whom we have 
met only in correspondence. Onward again and we are soon at 
Manchester, N. H., a great manufacturing center, and a thriving 
city of 36,500 inhabitants in 1893. There are two cemeteries 
here. It has been our pleasure to meet the superintendents of 
both at our own grounds, but we regret that they are not mem- 
bers with us. A short run and we found ourselves at Concord, 
N. H., the capital of the state, beautifuly situated. Here the 
great industries of the New England Granite Co. are carried on. 
Large quantities of dressed and undressed blocks are shipped to 
all parts of the country. There is a very good cemetery in Con- 
cord, I am told, having met the superintendent who is a pro- 
gressive man, but the writer’s persuasive powers did not draw 
him in as a member of the A. A. C. S. We hope they will all 
come in, if not to the national body we may have to start a local 
society for the benefit of those who cannot get so far from home. 
St. Johnsbury was reached in a rain storm. The great Fairbanks 
scale industry is carried on here. All through this state and 
portions of New Hampshire the scenery is very attractive and 
often grand, the mountains are very high. Our encyclopaedia 
says Mansfield is the highest, 4,430 feet, and there are five others 
over 4,000 and twelve over 3.500 feet. These ranges, except 
perhaps on the very summits, are densely covered with spruce 
(Abies Niger) . As we rolled rapidly along, from what little met 
our eye, we are sure that the flora of this state must be of un- 
usual interest, and with here and there a stop we found ourselves 
at Montreal after the evening shades appeared, and the beautiful 
city was to be seen only by the aid of the electric light. A short 
stroll gave us an idea of the majestic buildings, and the well- 
arranged beds of flowers in the public squares were greatly en- 
joyed. The buildings were grand examples of the solid way our 
cousins across the line have of doing things, and at the same 
time the attractive and beautiful were well looked after. Thus 
ended our first day’s journey. The next morning when we awoke 
it was to hehold as deserted a looking country as could be imag- 
ined, and so we traversed all day with little to interest us, pre- 
ferring to read and sleep. Occasionally a little fresh verdure 
was seen in the shape of ferns and flowers in moist places, but 
the marks of the destructive forest fires was apparent all along, 
and lamentable to behold . The early evening brought us to the 
end of our ride on the Canadian Pacific, crossing St. Mary’s river 
and at 7 p. m. we were at Saulte Ste. Marie. A short stop here 
enabled us to take some fresh air, and view the country; this was 
quite refreshing. We were soon on our way again. The shades 
of the second night are upon us and our observations are again 
ended. As soon as light dawned however, our curtain was lifted 
and we looked with greater satisfaction than on the previous day 
upon the evidences of civilization. Large tracts of land had been 
cleared and cultivated, little settlements here, a saw mill occa- 
sionally, and the farmer’s house and barn all encouraged us to 
believe that we were nearing a large city. All this time we were 
on the lookout for the flora, but saw but little that differed from 
that of the previous day except in the low places, some splendid 
patches of that magnificent native plant. Lobelia Cardinalis, of 
which New England's poet. Holmes, says: 
As if some wounded eagle's breast, 
Slow throbbing o'er the plain, 
Had left his airy path impressed 
In drops ol scarlet rain. 
And now our observations ceased, as we were told by the 
courteous porter that we were drawing into Minneapolis. The 
usual dusting and brushing after a forty eight hours’ ride, placed 
us in fit condition to land. We preferred to walk to our hotel, 
which gave us needed exercise and a chance to see something of 
this magnificent western city. Breakfast being over, the next 
thing in order was an extra good touch by the tonsorial artist on 
the V. P. and with the usual shine for both, we commenced our 
vacation in the best of spirits. In our next we will try and gather 
some thoughts about the convention and Minneapolis. 
Editor Modern Cemetery. 
A brief resume of my trip to and from the Minneapolis con- 
vention may be of some interest to the members of the A. A. C. 
Superintendents. 
Owing to my late arrival at the convention,-! was deprived 
the pleasure of accompanying the association to Lakewood Cem- 
etery, which 1 regretted exceedingly. This was partially made 
up for, however, by the pleasant and profitable visit made to 
Oakland Cemetery, St. Paul, at which all present expressed 
themselves as being abundantly paid through the courtesy of the 
members of Oakland Cemetery and the kind .attention shown 
them by Brother Boxell, superintendent. Much favorable com- 
ment was made at the fine appearance of Oakland Cemetery, and 
the well cared for grounds were generally admired. 
Having been denied a visit to Lakewood Cemetery, as referred 
to above, I called on Brother Hobert after the convention ad- 
journed and was cordially received by the capable superintend- 
ent, who conveyed me through the beautiful grounds, pointing 
out recent improvements and prospective ones to be made in the 
near future. The grounds are conducted strictly on the lawn 
plan and their beautiful appearance of gentle and varied undu- 
lations, ornamented with choice trees, shrubbery, etc., form a 
grand combination very pleasing to the eye. These in conjunc- 
tion with the fine lake surroundings seem greatly to enhance the 
beautiful features of Lakewood Cemetery. This is one of the 
most beautiful cemeteries that it has ever been our privilege to 
visit. The courtesy extended me by Brother Hobert was duly 
appreciated, and will linger in our memory for years to come. 
The trustees of Lakewood were fortunate in securing the services 
of such a competent mqn to supervise their grounds. 
After a hurried and entirely unsatisfactory visit to the won- 
derful Fair, where three months instead of three days would 
have been requisite for anything like a careful examination, I 
visited beautiful Spring Grove. 1 always feel at home under the 
roof of the hospitable superintendent and his wife and never tire 
of exploring the charming grounds. The following day found 
me once more in Newark at the end of a long and enjoyable trip. 
Charles Nichols. 
