THE MODERN CEMETERY. 
99 
Shrubs for Cemeteries. 
As shrubs are indispensable in Cemetery work, 
consideration of the desirability of various species 
and varieties is always in order, and may be help- 
ful, especially to those having few opportunities 
to see well grown collections. While it is possible 
to have too much of a good thing, no harm can re- 
sult from repeatedly reminding people what the 
good things are. There is so much to distract at- 
tention that it is necessary to say a thing many 
times before making much impression. And if the 
shrubs mentioned here are already familiar to our 
readers, they know them to be worth talking about; 
while if they are not, our advice is to make their 
acquaintance forthwith. 
Having personally a strong liking for the Cut 
leafed Sumach I have photo- 
graphed a group of them grow- 
ing on the wooded island at 
Jackson Park. They are on the 
lawn at a little distance from the 
boundary of the border proper, 
but still forming a part of it — a 
slightly detached annex. 
It is a happy arrangement, 
taking from the formality of an 
unbroken border line, while the 
selection of this particular shrub 
for the purpose cannot be too 
highly commended. Its grace- 
ful fern-like foliage and habit of 
growth adapts it to the location 
when looked at broadly as a 
part of the general view, and it 
is handsome enough in itself to 
bear close inspection as a detail 
of the planting. 
This illustration shows very 
well the good effect of an occasional accent in 
shrubbery borders. The irregularly placed group 
of three sumachs is in one sense an accent, although 
it serves to melt the border into the lawn at this 
point, and, farther along the graceful, but not too 
sinuous, line of planting is seen an accent of another 
kind in a shapely, double, white Althea standing 
boldly to the front and showing up well against the 
foil of mixed greenery behind it. This single large 
shrub is also set out in the grass beyond the line of 
the mass of the plantation, and it is a marked and 
admirable note that during several weeks in late 
summer, sings out clearly enough to dominate the 
scheme — ^just as a pianist makes a certain note sing 
quite through a passage above the many that are 
woven into a harmonious accompaniment or back- 
ground. 
Both the Sumach and hardy Althea (Syriacus 
Hibiscus) are well adapted to cemetery work, and 
usually the former is more effective than those 
shown in the illustration because it generally bears 
showy spikes of scarlet berries. 
Common Elder is too well known to need de- 
scription, and is always good, but there are four 
other varieties of the species, all of them hardy, that 
are handsomer in foliage, although not bearing 
more charming flowers nor, as I have seen them, 
are they so free flowering. 
They are Sambucus Nigra, S. Nigra lacinata 
( excellent), S. variegata argentea, and S. var. aurea or 
Golden Elder. The last is the most effective, and is 
a very desirable golden leaved shrub. 
By far the best purple leaved shrub shown in 
the World’s Eair exhibits is the Purple Plum 
(Prunus pissardi) a nice group of which still stands 
on the Island, has done well, and is decidely hand- 
some. 
The delicate foliage and soft grayish green tone 
of the Rosemary leaved Willow is seen to much ad- 
vantage in a number of round headed specimens 
grafted on common willows at about five feet above 
the ground. And there are a couple of beautiful 
little trees of the Russian Golden Willow, a variety 
that seems excellent. 
Fanny Copley Seavey. 
A stone in Copps Hill burying ground, Boston, 
bears this inscription: 
A Sister of Sarah Lucas lyeth here 
Whom I did Love most Dear; 
And now her Soul hath took its Flight 
And bid her Spiteful Foes good-night. 
