102 
PARK AND CEMETERY. 
the ideas imparted and it is gratifying to know 
that the good work went on. Now that official 
considers himself a full fledged cemetery superin- 
tendent giving himself all the requisite airs. Within 
a radius of 25 miles are several other towns, the in- 
habitants of which, not to be outdone by their 
neighbor , are taking more pride in their local bur- 
ial grounds. Hence the force of example. Oh! 
what an opportunity for mission work by a state as- 
sociation. 
During the past summer the wife of a leading 
citizen of a small city in Illinois, after attending a 
funeral, on her return home, was so horrified at the 
primitive manner in which her friend had been in- 
terred that she made her husband promise that in 
the event of her demise, that her remains should be 
taken to St. Louis, the nearest large city. The mat- 
ter occasioned talk from time to time until finally 
the husband determined to correspond with a well- 
known cemetery man, and see whether something 
could not be done on their own premises. To make 
use of his own words: “If we only knew how to 
make a start.” The cemetery man paid a flying 
visit; to his experienced eye, making that start was 
a very simple matter; an association was quickly 
formed by the most prominent citizens, the neces- 
sary funds cheerfully subscribed for developing a 20 
acre tract adjoining tire old burial grounds. In a 
few weeks a beautiful cemetery occupied the site of 
a cornfield and slough; the requisite, up to date 
books for properly conducting were obtained from 
Park and Cemetp:ry, and now, there are not 
many cities that can boast of being possessed of a 
more modern and beautiful place of sepulchre. The 
interest of the residents for miles around has become 
aroused, several have removed their dead from coun- 
try burial grounds and it will not take long before the 
place will be free from debt. The City Fathers have 
also been awakened, seeing the popularity of the new 
cemetery and have opened up and graded a splendid 
thoroughfare as a means of access. 
While not desirous of introducing politics or 
creating a public office, yet if the solons of the 
different state legislatures could be induced to make 
a small appropriation to enable the State Associa- 
tion to do missionary work, the writer is convinced 
that beneficials results would speedily follow. 
Bellett Laivson. 
A MEMORIAL FLOWER SERVICE. 
Lakewood Cemetery, Lake City, Minn., wit- 
nessed the inauguration of an annual Memorial 
Flower Service on Sunday, June 27, which was 
participated in by all the protestant clergymen, 
whose churches were closed for the occasion, and 
which created a profound public interest. It was a 
unique celebration, in which the active interest of 
the lotowners was successfully engaged, and prom- 
ises in its annual repetition a great good to the 
cemetery itself, besides a greater good to the com- 
munity in refreshing their intelligence on the deeply 
rooted associations of those “now sleeping.” A 
regular programme was carried out, a programme 
designed to invoke higher thought, enrich tender 
memories and make the occasion a permanent in- 
spiration. 
The Board of Trustees of Lakewood Cemetery, 
acting upon the suggestion of Mrs. Anna B. Under- 
wood, wife of the secretary and superintendent of 
the association, encouraged the proposition, which 
was set forth in the little Annual published in the 
spring by the trustees. 
The lady above mentioned also originated and 
took a prominent part in a Floral Bazaar, which 
netted $900 to be applied to a fund for perpetual 
care. 
The success of this service and entertainment is full 
of suggestiveness beneficial to cemetery affairs in 
all small places. It clearly demonstrates that in- 
terest in the cemetery, while apparently dormant 
looking at the conditions so generally prevailing, is 
ready to promptly meet active effort, and to re- 
spond cheerfully to reasonable demands. It also 
shows that in such matters woman’s judgment, 
woman’s sympathy and energy are powerful factors 
to be relied on, and in no direction can they be 
more successfully exercised them in the improve- 
ment and care of our rural cemeteries. 
The illustration herewith shows the floral deco- 
rations of two of the memorials in Lakewood taken 
at the time of the service. 
Bisulphide of carbon placed in the ground at or near 
the ant-hills will destroy the insects. Take a dibble or 
sharp stick and thrust it into the ant-hill, making a hole 
six or eight inches in depth; into this pour about two 
tablespoonfuls of the bisulphide, and then press the 
soil together at the surface to close the hole. The fumes 
of the liquid will penetrate the soil and kill the ants. 
This is the most effective of all the means that have 
ever been employed for this purpose. — Vicks’ Magazine 
for July. 
