120 
THE MODERN CEMETERY. 
not to have made any money you say. Is it their 
province to make money out of property which 
would never have existed — except for the inter- 
ments ? There can be no objection to throwing the 
property open to the public and improving it, but no 
grave should be desecrated, nor should a bone be 
moved. If this shall be permitted the whole sys- 
tem of interment will be violated, the sentiment of 
a burial place mocked, perverted, and subordinated 
to the commercial instincts of a corporation no one 
of whom you may be sure have ancestors lying in 
the graveyard. 
I cannot imagine a gardener who would wil- 
lingly advise an improvement involving the disturb- 
ance proposed. Nor do I believe the people of 
New York would desire it — if the facts were pro- 
perly presented. 
The graveyard may be acquired by the city for 
improvement, as any graveyard might be acquired, 
but it should remain a graveyard, or it would be 
infinitely better to adopt cremation generally. 
The headstones can be laid flat either on lawns 
or walks, and monuments can be moved with the 
consent of survivors, marking the place of inter- 
ment with a suitable flat slab. Where they cannot 
be moved, they can usually be worked into the de- 
sign of the landscape gardener. There are hun- 
dreds of old graveyards which might be acquired 
by cities and improved at slight cost, without in- 
jury to the feelings of any survivor; and the pur- 
poses of a breathing place not only secured, but 
heightened in interest. 
It seems to me that common decency would im- 
pel a body of Trustees to consult the feelings of 
survivors, before proceeding to desecrate the graves 
of their ancestors, and I say again that cremation 
is a better plan in a country where such Trustees 
are possible. 
Trenton, N. J. James MacPherson. 
The funeral of Alexander III, of Russia, must 
have been an extraordinary sight, especially so to 
citizens of Western civilization. Both in the streets 
of St. Petersburg and in the Cathedral, which was 
packed with visiting royalty, nobility and native 
potentates, and with tributes of all kinds and sorts, 
the scene must have been remarkable. There were 
a thousand or more wreaths in the Cathedral, be- 
sides quantities left outside. There were enormous 
specimens of the goldsmith’s work, ten feet across 
and five feet high, jostling with humbler offerings 
of immortelles and violets. 
Notice to Cemetery Officials. 
Persons desiring copies of the Philadelphia Proceedings of 
the convention held in that city by the Association of American 
Cemetery Superintendents can have them at the following rates: 
25 cents for single copies, $2.50 per dozen. 
In order to save time and postage please remit with order. 
Frank Eurich, S?cy. and Treasurer. 
Auburndale, O., Dec. 10., 1894. 
Association of American Cemetery Superintendents. 
O. C. SIMONES, “Graceland,” Chicago. President. 
O. W. CREESY, “Harmony Grove,” Salem. Mass., Vice-President. 
F. EEBIOH, WoodlawD, Toledo, O., Secretary and Treasurer 
To Members of A. A. C. S.: 
Three copies of the Philadelphia Proceedings have been 
mailed to each meihber; those who will want additional copies 
will please send in their orders at once and remit at the rate of 
$2.50 per dozen or 25 cents for single copies; six or more sent at 
dozen rate. Frank Eurich, Sec. and Treasurer, 
Auburndale, O., Dec. 10., 1894. 
■publi^ber'^ ©epoirtment. 
The receipt of Cemetery Literature and Trade Catalogues will be 
acknowledged in this column. 
* * * 
TO ADVERTISERS. The MODERN CEMETERY is the only publica- 
tion of its class and will be found a valuable medium for reaching 
cemetery officials in all parts of the United States. 
* * * 
TO SUBSCRIBERS. Cemetery officials desiring to subscribe for a 
number of copies regularly to circulate among their lot owners, 
should send for our special terms. Several well-known cemeteries 
have already adoiJted this plan with good results. 
* * * 
Contributions on matters pertaining to cemeteries are solicited. 
Address all communications to 
R. J. HAIGHT, 334 Dearborn St., Chicago. 
Our readers who may wish to place their sub- 
scriptions for horticultural books or periodicals, can 
be supplied through the MODERN Cemetery office, 
and frequently at a saving. Clubbing rates on any 
publication will be sent on application. 
Our many readers who have promised contribu- 
tions to the Modern Cemetery should avail them- 
selves of the long winter evenings that are now 
with us, to prepare them. Contributions on any 
subject of general interest to cemetery workers will 
be appreciated. 
Cemetery officials should send for specimen pa- 
ges of the new Record of Interment and Improved 
Lot Book before making changes in their system of 
keeping records. The method adopted in these 
books is recommended by leading cemetery offi- 
cials. The publisher will mail specimen pages on 
receipt of request. 
It is to be regretted that the photographer who 
took the group of cemetery superintendents at Har- 
leigh Cemetery, has failed to fill his order. It has 
entailed upon Mr. Rhedemeyer considerable incon- 
venience and no little annoyance. As he is in no 
way responsible for the photographer, he is certain- 
ly entitled to due and proper consideration. 
Received. From R. K. Wood, secretary, By- 
Laws and rules of the Los Angeles, Cal., Cemetery 
Association, proprietor of the “Evergreen Ceme- 
tery.” The pamphlet contains the history of the 
cemetery. — By-Laws, Rules and Regulations, and 
Acts of Assembly of St. John, N. B., Rural Ceme- 
tery. Mr. Joshua P. Clayton, Supt. , beides several 
of the forms used by the management, also sends us 
three winter scenes in the cemetery. — By-Laws, 
Rules and Regulations of Fair Lawn Cemetery, 
Prattsville, N. Y, 
