PARK AND CEMETERY. 
I2 3 
Kokomo, Ind., is stirred up over a proposed ordinance pro- 
viding Rules and Regulations to govern Crown Point cemetery, 
which has been conducted for many years under the superinten- 
dency of Mr. John W. Cooper, without any definite regulations 
to guide him or control lot-holders. Mr Cooper, in drawing 
up the new rules and regulations, is endeavoring to incorporate 
therein the latest prevailing practice, and this appears to be too 
radical for the local sentiment. It is to be hoped that the discus- 
sion will open the eyes of the people, to the best interests of the 
grounds, and result in holding up the superintendent’s hands in 
his endeavor to create a beautiful cemetery. 
An officer of the Museum of Natural History in New York 
City has compiled a list of the birds which he saw on the hats of 
women on two recent afternoons. The list includes forty species 
including thrushes, warblers, shrikes, flycatchers, tanagers, swal- 
lows, w.rxwings, grosbeaks, sparrows, orioles, woodpeckers, jays, 
owls, grouse, doves, quails, shore birds, herons, gulls, terns, and 
grebes. In all there were 173 wild birds, or parts of them, on 
hats. Of these at least thirty two varieties are protected, or are 
supposed to be protected, by law during all or a major portion 
of the year. A New York exchange says: “A Boston court re- 
cently decided it unlawful to wear feathers of a bird protected by 
law, and a similar law exists in New York, but as long as it is 
fashionable to wear feathers it is presumable women will tolerate 
the cruelty which secures this headgear. There is no hope for 
the birds except by a rigorous enforcement of law.” Park author- 
ities can help discourage this cruel craze, by making the care of 
the birds a feature of park work, and embodying in their reports 
data concerning their biids, their habits and characteristics. 
CORRESPONDENCE. 
Mr. C. D. Phipps, Supt. Franklin Cemetery, Franklin Pa., 
would like to know if other superintendents have much trouble 
in teaching their workmen how to do their work; can they be in- 
duced to read or study any papers relating to the work in the 
cemetery? In his 13 years’ experience he has never had any 
one that would try to be useful and prepare himself to fill the 
superintendent's place should he be removed. He say's: “They 
have access to my library and 1 have done all that is possible 
but they never seem to have time to read or study. Has any- 
one had any experience with crimson clover, and has it been a 
success and under what circumstances?” 
Cemetery Methods at the Grave. 
The articles that have appeared in recent times in Park 
and Ce. ietery regarding “Reform at Funerals,” have brought 
forth several communications describing details of consigning 
the caskets to the grave as adopted by the several writers, and 
generally the use of planking to retain the earth and prevent 
caving of the ground is common . Mr. G. W. Reily, secretary 
and superintendent of Grove Hill Cemetery, Shelbyville, Ky., 
also adopted a device whereby by the use of hay the harrowing 
sound of the earth falling on the coffin is prevented, a good idea. 
The following procedure as conducted in the most prominent of 
Chicago’s cemeteries will be interesting. The grave is carefully 
dug as usual and the earth thrown out in a pile on one side. The 
whole thing is then covered with evergreen boughs, including the 
grave, around which the boughs are carefully disposed the 
butts being laid outward, but hole is entirely covered by 
the inter-woven tops of the boughs which meet in the cen- 
tre. Sometimes the first row of boughs around the grave 
itself is held down by planks laid upon them and around 
the edge of the excavation. These planks are covered with 
more boughs completely concealing them. As the casket ap- 
proach the edge ol the grave the pall bearers are relieved by 
the sexton's assistants, who place two inconspicuous bearers 
across the grave upon whieh they deposit the coffin. This is now 
exactly in place to lower at proper moment. When this time 
comes the assistants raise the coffin, another man withdraws the 
bearers, and at the given word it sinks gently and without ob- 
struction through the elastic coveting of boughs, which as it de- 
scends, after passing through them, regain their position and 
present once more the same appearance as before the solemn 
ceremony was begun. Through the whole undertaking not a 
sight of the earth is given. 
A well kept sod goes a long way towards preventing caving 
in, but where such is unavoidable means of retaining the soil 
must be adopted, but the above method can; be used any- 
where where boughs can be obtained, for it i« not necessary that 
they should be evergreen, but they should be fresh of course. 
What Shall We Do with Our Dead? 
The fashion of extravagance in burying the dead has become 
so universal and tyrannical that but few people, especially in our 
large cities can afford to die. 
And what are we going to do about it? We are going to 
talk and write and by our example break the tyrants chains if 
possible; so that people may be free to die or free to live, just as 
they and their Divine author can agree. 
First, there is the undertaker’s bills which are simply enor- 
mous. Why? 
The dead must be dressed out in their best for it is the last 
chance that they will have to make a show on earth. 
The mortuary suit often costs from 20 to 30 dollars; then one 
must order a casket and box costing from 50 to 100 dollars; a 
gorgeous hearse and richly caparisoned horses, costing 5 to 10 
dollars; hacks costing frem 25 to 40 dollars; flowers from 10 to 30 
dollars; the grave and trimmings cost from 5 to 15 dollars. Then 
comes the dress mourning of the family costing from 15 to 100 
dollars; and finally a card must be put in the paper thanking the 
neighbors and friends for doing their duty, costing from 1 to 2 
dollars more. Total cost from 100 to 300 dollars to dispose of a 
single 1 ody. Is it right to thus ape the rich? Or is it right for 
the rich to set such an unw’orthy example? 
As to the undertaker his business is sometimes a disagree- 
able though imperative work and he ought to be well paid. 
Some of them do get rich by taking advantage of the hour. 
You have lost a relative or friend. In affliction’s hour you 
do not want to go and banter for a sharp bargain, so you simply 
accept the price without comment. 
But why should all this pomp, parade and show over an 
inanimate body be endured for a single day or an hour; to be 
buried so soon from sight forever in the earth? 
Then there is the cemetery lot which many foolishly neg- 
lect to select until wanted for immediate use, and then in their 
haste select a lot that they do not like when in calmer hours 
they view it. 
Then they want to exchange, making much expense in re- 
moving bodies, besides bothering the superintendent and marring 
the records. As superintendent I have known several such cases. 
Now comes the final bills— the headstone or monument, 
which though often neglected for years and sometimes forever 
though more important than all the rest. When they are bought 
it is with cooler judgment; but fashion still reigns and so from 
100 to 500 dollars must go for that. And finally the last bill 
“Perpetual Care” asks for from 100 to 500 dollars more. 
These too last bills are the most sensible in the whols cata- 
logue, simply because of their lasting worth. In all coming time 
they tell to generations yet unborn that you once lived, and when 
— and had respect enough for the dead to keep their graves and 
their memories green. And more the genealogist and the de- 
