128 
THE MODERN CEMETERY. 
AUSTIN . MINN 
OEMCNED BY 
J\ojni^K.KvAJUUA,^ou»»xL^ciJjiu [l«^vdLt«A. . 
. MINNEAPOLIS .MtNhJ. 
‘ 69 ^ 
H I C H W A Y 
top of a steep bluff some fifteen feet in height, at 
the foot of which is a wooded swamp, through which 
winds a small stream, known as the Cedar River. 
As economy of construction and maintenance 
was of prime importance and surface drainage for 
the present at least, the only reliance, the drives 
were laid in conformity with the surface of the 
ground, in such a manner that the deepest cut is 
only about two feet, and the greatest fill only about 
half that. 
In subdividing the sections the lots are of a uni- 
form depth of twenty feet, while the frontages are 
either nine, twelve, fifteen, eighteen or twenty feet, to 
meet the varying needs of purchasers. It will be 
observed that these different sizes are well mingled, 
by which two ends are accomplished; it obviates a 
too monotonous succession of monuments and 
markers, and prevents the establishment of a 
“cheap” section which results when all the small 
lots are grouped together. 
Although the north half of the property is well 
wooded and fine specimen trees of the burr oak are 
scattered .over a portion of the rest, the unplatted 
corners and other vacant spaces in the sections are 
proposed to be devoted to ornamental shrubberies, 
as are the sides of a ravine in section seven, with 
also an occasional group along the bluft; while on 
the north side an evergreen screen will shut off both 
the cold winds and a rather disagreeable outlook. 
The portion of the plateau to the east of the old 
cemetery is devoted to single graves, and in view 
of future needs, locations are suggested for Gate 
Lodge, Receiving Tomb, and Tool Yard and 
Sheds. 
Grades have been established over the whole 
tract that there may be no unconsidered problems 
arise in the matter of drainage, and in the spring it 
is proposed to complete a sufficient portion in the 
south part of the cemetery to meet the demands for 
several years to come. 
The present officers of the Association are: J. S. 
Decker, President; T. F. Leonard, Secretary; C. 
A. Pooler, Actuary and Geo. Baird, Treasurer. 
A bill to regulate the practice of embalming and undertak- 
ing has just passed both houses of the legislature in Alabama. 
California was the first state to pass such an act, but it was ve- 
toed by the governor. The same fate attended the New York 
law, but that of Virginia became a law last year, and the Mod- 
ern Cemetery at that time gave its chief provisions. The Al- 
abama bill is very similar, in fact, almost identical with that of 
Virginia. The board of examiners is to be appointed on May 
1st, whose duty it will be to examine all persons now in the bus- 
iness, and those intending to enter it, and after September ist, 
it will be unlawful to practice embalming without a license in 
places of 1,500 inhabitants or over in that state. 
