327 PARK AND CEMETERY. 
PARK SECTION. RURAL CEMETERY, NEW BEDFORD. MASS. 
cipal section of what is known as Pine 
Grove Cemetery, by reason of its large 
area, its most suitable and desirable 
character for burial purposes, its park- 
like features, and the more desirable 
approach to the grounds from this 
side. 
The Cit}' Engineer has made a topo- 
graphical survey of these grounds, 
which the board deems advisable to 
later place before some landscape 
architect who has had long and suc- 
cessful experience in laying out of 
cemeteries. No matter how compe- 
tent the superintendent is, or how 
long his experience in cemetery work 
has been, his training is in the line of 
administration and development, and 
the Board believes the aid of a land- 
scape gardener will be of untold value 
to him, and to those who employ him. 
'I'he board considers it is not the busi- 
ness of a cemetery superintendent to 
design a cemetery, but to develop the 
cemetery alter the plans are made, 
and to administer the office in a busi- 
iiesslike way. In laying out a ceme- 
tery, provision must be made for all 
time, for entrances, enclosures, ave- 
nues, paths, sections, lots, public 
grounds and park portions, the proper 
locations selected for the sexton’s 
quarters, and waiting rooms, and for 
such other buildings as the .grounds 
ie{|uire. The Board recommends a 
special appropriation for this work, 
aside , from the cemetery funds, and 
sufficient to provide a complete set 
of working plans for' the future de- 
velopment of the grounds. 
In the old part of Pine Grove a 
large amount of work has been accom- 
plished the past year. Two large 
sections have been prepared for bur- 
ials, and these will be taken up by 
single grave burials and public 
grounds, as land for these in both 
Rural and Oak Grove Cemeteries is 
now full, and burials of this character 
must go to Pine Grove Cemetery. 
Griffin Street Cemetery has re- 
ceived its careful attention. Three 
large beds of flowering plants have 
embellished the grounds, the grass 
frequently cut, and the fence enclos- 
ing the grounds painted. 
The annual observance of Flower 
Day was celebrated September 12th, 
the Sunday following Labor Day. Its 
annual observance is being recognized 
as a popular feature, occurring in the 
season when flowers are most prolific. 
Thousands of people, prompted by 
the sentiment which flowers alone ex- 
press, visited the cemeteries, and 
silently placed their tributes. The 
impressiveness of the display made at 
this time is fully realized by all who 
visit the cemeteries. 
The spirit of the Board to em- 
phasize the importance of placing lots 
in perpetual care has been fully ex- 
ercised during the year, with the re- 
sult that this has been the banner 
year, since the Board’s organization. 
$10,825.00 has been added to the per- 
petual care fund, representing eighty- 
nine additional lots, making the sum 
of $135,533.33 now standing to this 
account. 1,282 lots are now under 
perpetual care. 
The past year has shown marked 
improvement from the fact that 
many owners of old lots both in Rural 
Cemetery and Oak Grove Cemetery 
have had them re-graded, re-sodded, 
and otherwise put in good condition. 
Especially has this been the case in 
Rural and Pine Grove Cemeteries, 
where special improvements have been 
made, new land being developed, 
avenues macadamized and repaired, 
drains laid, and the construction of 
the shelter house in Rural Cemetery 
completed. 
During the period of the severe 
drought, the watering carts were daily 
in use, and their work has done much 
to preserve the good condition of the 
avenues durin.g the lon.g spell of dry 
weather. 
William i\I. Higham is Chairman of 
the Cemetery Board, Charles H. 
Vinal, Secretary, and Hurlbert E. 
Thomas, Superintendent. 
