253 
PARK AND CEMETERY. 
Annual reports or extracts from tkem^ historical sketches^ 
descriptive circulars^ photogi'aphs of iinprove^nents or dis- 
tinctiz>e features are requested for use in this department* 
Arousing Interest in the Conventions 
President J. C. Cline, of the Association of American 
Cemetery Associations, has sent the following letter to new 
members of the association who attended the Detroit meeting. 
It contains a number of suggestions for discussion that will 
he food for thought for old as well as new members. 
Dear sir : In looking over our roster of members, I find 
your name among those who became members of our asso- 
ciation at the Detroit, Mich., convention last fall. In view 
of furthering the interest and work of our association I take 
the liberty of asking you to answer the following questions : 
We invite the criticism of new members believing that the 
impression made upon them at their first convention can be 
used to the betterment of the association at future conven- 
tions. 
1. What features of the convention impressed you as being 
the most interesting and helpful to the superintendent? 
2. What changes, if any, would you suggest in the posi- 
tion taken by the association concerning the “management 
•of cemeteries?’’ 
3. What would you suggest as a means of increasing the 
membership of our association, and the attendance at our 
conventions? 
4. Will you suggest some subjects for papers and discus- 
sion at our next convention? 
The officers of the association solicit suggestions for their 
guidance in the conduct of our next convention, and will 
appreciate any assistance rendered them. Fraternally yours, 
J. C. Cline, Prest.’’ 
A sample reply to one of these letters follows : 
“The convention made a lasting impression on me; think 
it as good as six months’ school in our profession, and I 
hope to attend the next annual meeting. 
“I have no words of criticism to make. It all filled me 
with a desire to become a better man in the service. 
“Hoping to meet you in Providence at our next conven- 
tion. We must all do our part to make it a success.” 
* * * 
New England Cemetery Association Meets 
The annual meeting of the New England Cemetery Asso- 
ciation was held Monday, February 11, at the New Ameri- 
can House, Hanover street, Boston, Mass. There were sev- 
eral matters of importance brought before the members for 
tbeir consideration. 
On tbe regular order of business for discussion were tbe 
following questions: 
Wbat shall we as the N. E. C. A. do to forward the 
meeting of the National Association at Providence? 
Shall we as an association ask the New England Under- 
takers’ Association to join with us at an early date to con- 
sider questions of mutual interest? 
After the disposal of the official business and an animated 
discussion of the above and other subjects, dinner was served 
in the hotel and in the evening the party attended the theater. 
Cemetery Convention Dates Announced 
The Committee on Convention of the Association of 
American Cemetery Superintendents has established 
headquarters at the Narragansett Hotel, Providence, R. 
I., and set the dates for this year’s convention as Au- 
gust 20, 21 and 22. The Committee has organized as 
follows: Chairman, James Warren, Jr., Supt. “North 
Burial Ground,” Providence ; Secretary, Timothy Mc- 
Carthy, Supt. “Swan Point,” Providence; Treasurer, 
A. K. McMahon, Supt. “Island,” Newport, R. I. 
Northwestern Cemetery Association Proposed 
H. M. Turner, superintendent of Roselawn Cemetery, St. 
Paul, Minn., writes us that several enthusiastic members of 
the Association of American Cemetery Superintendents in 
the Twin Cities recently got together and had what he terms 
a “relapse of the Detroit convention.” They made several 
brotherly visits among themselves and have formulated pre- 
liminary plans for a Northwestern Association of Cemetery 
Superintendents. Definite arrangements have not been made 
for the organization, but we hope to hear further of its suc- 
cessful progress. 
* * * 
Cemetery Advertising 
John R. Gaudin, Secretary of the Elmwood Cemetery 
Company, Birmingham, Ala., writes that they do consider- 
able newspaper advertising, which, handled in a delicate way, 
has proven profitable. He encloses one of their advertise- 
ments, which is well displayed and occupies 3^2 inches 
double column. It includes a half-tone picture of a hand- 
some entrance in the cemetery. 
* * * 
Asked and Answered 
We are contemplating the erection of a fence along the 
two sides of our cemetery next to the road, and have been 
considering some kind of wire fencing, but it has been sug- 
gested that we might add to the beauty if we use some kind 
of sbrub instead, such as privet or barberry. Can you give 
us any information as to the desirability, such as the time 
required for the growth, expense, trouble to maintain, hardi- 
ness in this climate, etc. Any information will be appreci- 
ated. L. W. H., Indiana. 
Ans.- — Use both. First a strong wire fence with concrete 
posts and then prickly ash, barberries, buckthorns or other 
shrubs to hide the fence. Allow the shrubs and small trees 
to grow without trimming and the effect will be far better 
than that of any trimmed hedge. O. C. S. 
May I enquire if a lot owner in your (Chicago) ceme- 
teries breaks or cuts twigs of cedar from trees on his lot, 
and being an undertaker, uses them to decorate or line a 
grave for a customer, would you consider that act a viola- 
tion of your cemetery rules? And, if so, how would you 
enforce your rules prohibiting the breaking of the twigs 
should he defy your authority and persist in using the cedar 
in his business in decorating or lining graves? Have you 
bad such or similar experience? J. L. R., Mo. 
Ans. — Certainly it is against the rules, and if a man per- 
sists in disfiguring a tree, even though it be on his own lot, 
he should be arrested. He buys a lot for burial purposes 
only, and subject to the rules of the cemetery. O. C. S. 
(Continued on p. X.) 
