THE MODERN CEMETERY. 
3 
and such a superintendent there will be no unity of 
aim, much less of action. Individual tastes will be 
brought into action, and because these tastes differ 
widely there will be an utter lack of that harmony 
upon which everything depends. The committee 
should be made up of persons having good taste, 
and when the work is put into their hands they 
should not be hindered by suggestions from outsid- 
ers. Such a committee would receive suggestions, 
but it should be made to feel entirely free in ac- 
cepting or rejecting them. There are always those 
in every community who cannot give labor but who 
can and will give money and from small sums ob- 
tained in this way shrubs and plants for general use 
may be purchased. I am convinced that it is only 
necessary for some one to make a start in this direc- 
tion in each community, to make it possible to ac- 
complish great things in the way of improving coun- 
try cemeteries. I would urge that some action 
should be taken at the proper season, and that an 
interest be aroused which should manifest itself in 
action. When a few persons in each community 
see what may be accomplished by united and sys- 
tematic work, an enthusiasm will be created which 
will spread to others, and soon all will take pride in 
contributing to the undertaking. 
AVOIDING ELABORATE EFFECTS. 
I would suggest that elaborate effects be avoided. 
To make them successful requires more knowledge 
of landscape gardening and other matters of similar 
nature than can be commanded in a country neigh- 
borhood. Aim to bring out the natural beauty of 
the place. Work over the soil until it is in a con- 
dition to be seeded with lawn grass, after removing 
all weeds and bushes which have taken root there. 
Wherever there is a living tree or shrub that has in 
it any beauty, leave it, but go over it and remove 
all weak or superfluous growth, and prune it into 
something like symmetrical shape. But in doing 
this avoid, if possible, the mistake of making it 
take on a prim, stifl look. Study nature’s plans 
and imitate them as closely as you can. In bare 
spots set out shrubs and hardy perennials. Plant 
bulbs here and there to brighten the place in early 
spring. If there are no trees plant them, but do 
not place them in regular rows nor after any set 
rule or pattern. Go into some city park and see 
how the intelligent superintendent of it has allowed 
trees of native growth to remain in natural groups, 
and note the charming effect thus secured, and then 
go back and try to plant your trees in such a man- 
ner that they shall look when they are grown as if 
they were native there. Aim to make the entire 
cemetery look like a park if you want to make the 
most of its beauty. In doing this I am aware that 
the boundaries of lots must be ignored to some ex- 
tent, and fences of all kinds must be discouraged. 
Do away with all that indicates a division of the 
place, and blend it all into one pleasing whole. 
No covering is prettier for a grave than the 
green sward. The grass always seems to me like a 
coverlet which nature spreads above those who lie 
down to rest. 
SELECTING PLANTS AND SHRUBS. 
In selecting plants and shrubs for cemetery use 
choose only hardy kinds, for they will not be likely 
to get that care in autumn which is necessary to the 
half-hardy sorts. In choosing flowering plants I 
would not confine the selection to white flowers. 
Some persons seem to think that no bright color 
ought to be used about the dead. But God made 
all the flowers and they are appropriate everywhere. 
Why should there not be brightness where the dead 
are at rest? No spot can be made too beautiful for 
their resting-place, and itcannot be made attractive 
in the highest degree if we ignore color. There are 
not many shrubs suitable for cemetery use, because 
those which grow there must be able, in a large de- 
gree, to take care of themselves after being planted. 
The Deutzias and Spireas are among the best we 
have. The Lilac is fine for planting in conspicuous 
places. For groups nothing is finer than Hydran- 
gea Paiiiailatn grandijlora. This plant is as hardy 
as it is possible for any plant to be, and has the pe- 
culiar merit of being late in blossoming. 
Another most charming late-blooming plant is 
a new variety of the Japan Anemone, which is put 
upon the market this spring for the first time. It 
originated in a garden near Rochester several years 
ago, and is doubtless a seedling from the old single 
variety, Honorine Jobert. Unlike that variety, the 
new one is double. Its flowers are large, exceed- 
ingly beautiful and not too perishable. It has been 
given the singularly inappropriate name of Whirl- 
wind, but the inappropriateness of name does not 
detract from the beauty of its flowers. This I con- 
sider one of the best hardy plants of the herbaceous 
class for cemetery use. The herbaceous Spireas, 
both pink and white, are very beautiful. So are the 
Aquilegias, in white, blue, crimson and yellow. 
The perennial Coreopsis, C. lanccolata of the cata- 
logues, is a charming yellow flower, blooming freely 
and constantly throughout the season. Achillea, 
both pink and white, is desirable. So is the Iris. 
Among the larger shrubs the Weigelias take high 
rank as desirable cemetery plants. Plant the white 
and pink varieties together and a fine contrast and 
perfect harmony are secured. For early spring 
blooming the Japan Quince, with its intensely 
bright scarlet flowers, is very effective. 
