THE MODERN CEMETERY. 
99 
good non-conductor will answer the purpose. 
The importance of shelter, by this I mean wind 
breaks, can hardly be overestimated. It has been 
clearly shown that evapor^on under the influence 
of the wind is dependent not only on the tempera- 
ture and degrees of the same, but also on its velo- 
city, which if impeded, reduces the rate of evapo- 
ration. Careful experiments made by the U. S. 
Signal Service in 1887, showed that with a temper- 
ature of the air at 84 degrees, and a relative humid- 
ity of 50 per cent., evaporation, with the wind blow- 
ing at five miles an hour, was a little more than 
twice what it was in a calm. At fifteen miles an 
hour, the wind would evaporate about five times as 
much water as in a calm atmosphere of the same 
temperature and humidity. These figures state in 
exact terms the value of the shelter belts, and many 
other similar observations could be given to show 
the value of wind-breaks. 
This protection is sometimes best given by a 
wind-break. It certainly may be given by planting 
in groves where the trees protect one another from 
the wind and sun. Newly transplanted trees will of- 
ten be greatly helped by covering their trunks with 
hay, straw or other material that will keep off the 
wind and sun. The hard maple is found in the ev- 
treme northern limit of this state in large quantities, 
forming great forests, yet even at Lake City, 300 
miles south of this limit, is liable to serious injury 
to its trunk, and is not considered a safe street tree 
unless the trunk is shaded. The same is more or 
less true of the bass-wood, which is greatly improved 
by covering its trunk. The mountain ash makes a 
large tree 200 miles north of this city and yet, here, 
is liable to sun scald if its trunk is not protected. 
I have made a considerable study of this subject and 
have always found the bark much healthier and 
fresher when protected than when exposed. 
To sum up this matttr, I would say, in dry loca- 
tions it is of the utmost importance to have a reten- 
tive soil, to mulch, and to protect the whole plant 
from wind and the trunk from the sun as far as 
possible. 
Trees as Memorials. 
To those who have tired of the countless forms 
of marble and granite for memorial purposes, and 
yet who feel that some tribute should mark the spot 
where are laid away the remains of the loved ones 
gone before, the use of trees will be most gratify- 
ing. The idea, though by no means a new one, is 
not in as general practice as many cemetery officials 
would like to see it, or as it is likely to be in time. 
Adolph Strauch, the recognized father of land- 
scape gardening as applied to cemeteries, recom- 
mended their use many years ago. He suggested 
planting trees that were indigenous to the birth pla- 
ces of the deceased, “thus forming an arboretum 
which in the course of time would afford valuable 
information to succeeding generations, and be of 
far more value and use than a great collection of 
dilapidated stone slabs, monuments, etc.” Cha- 
teaubriand has expressed himself most beautifully 
on the subject in these words; “I have seen the 
memorable monuments to Croesus and Cmsar, but 
I prefer the airy tombs of the Indians, whose mau- 
soleums of verdure, refreshed by the morning dew, 
embalmed and fanned by the breezes and over 
which waves the same branch where the blackbird 
builds his nest and utters his plaintive melody.” 
Memorial trees are known to exist in Europe that 
are now more than 400 years old, and not a few have 
been planted in this country. In the selection of 
trees tor such purposes, there are many things to be 
taken into consideration, and the advice of one well 
versed in such matters should be sought before a 
selection is made In this connection it will be in- 
teresting to note the remarkable age attained by 
some trees as given by J. A. Collinson, in a recent 
issue of Notes and Queries: 
“Elm, 300 years; ivy, 335 years; maple, 516 
years; larch, 576 years; orange, 630 years; cypress, 
800 years; olive, 800 years; walnut, 900 years; 
Oriental plane, lOOO years; lime, 1100 years; spruce 
1200 years; oak, 1500 years; cedar, 2000 years; 
yew, 3200 years. The way in which the ages of 
these trees have been ascertained leaves no doubt 
of its correctness. In some few cases the data has 
been furnished by historical records and by tradi- 
tion, but the botanical archaeologists have a re- 
source independent of either, and when carefully 
used, infallible. Of all the forms of nature trees 
alone disclose their ages candidly and freely. In 
the stems of trees which have branches and leaves 
with netted veins — in all exogens, as the botanist 
would say — the increase takes place by means of 
an annual deposit of wood, spread in an even layer 
upon the surface of the preceding one.” 
Paul Scholz superintendent of Metairie Cemetery, 
at New Orleans, La. , committed suicide by shoot- 
ing himself in the head. Mr. Scholz was a german 
by birth and won distinction in the Franco-Prussian 
war. He studied floriculture and engineering in 
the old country. Fourteen years ago he became 
sexton of Metairie Cemetery and five years since 
was made superintendent. Mr. Scholz took much 
pride in his work and through his efforts many im- 
provements were made in Metairie. It is one of the 
Crescent City’s chief attractions and winter visitors 
from the frozen north may be seen strolling among 
its avenues throughout the entire season. 
