PARK AND CEMETERY. 
145 
CEMETERY TOPICS. 
The growth of healthy sentiment on the pro- 
priety and necessity of adopting modern ideas in 
regard to cemetery management is well attested by 
the readjustment of the old laws and the incorpora- 
tion of new ones, as is observed in so much of the 
cemetery literature now issued. In fact, in many 
cases special issues of revised rules and regulations 
come to hand, so that lot owners may have oppor- 
tunity to study the changes and fall into line to co- 
operate in renewed activity to better things. The 
following extracts will allow of a comparison with 
the old ideas, and will also suggest the importance 
now attached to cemetery affairs: 
An entire reconstruction of the public grounds has been 
accomplished this year by the board. The unsightly mounds 
have been leveled, the sections raised to grade, and numbered 
markers placed to more than 3,000 graves, with the record and 
plans placed on file at the office of the board. These grounds 
have been thoroughly dressed and seeded, and will hereafter 
present a beautiful lawn appearance instead of a barren and ap- 
parently forgotten portion of the cemeteries. 
A very large number of old lots and graves, many of which 
have been sadly neglected during the preceding years, have 
been cared for during the past season. A reviving interest on 
the part of proprietors and heirs to lots has developed, and a 
seeming desire to co-operate with the board in its efforts to im- 
prove and beautify the grounds. 
* * * , 
Much credit is due the superintendent for this’condition of 
affairs, as he has by personal effort and solicitation induced 
many proprietors to perform what would appear to be a duty 
which is too often forgotten. 
* * * 
The pond, which has for a long period, been but a stagnant 
pool, has been much improved by connecting the drainage with 
the Babbitt street sewer, and the outlet so adjusted as to hold 
the water to required depths. It is now a beautiful reservoir of 
water, abounding with thousands of gold fish, and the beautiful 
pink lilies planted within it by the former superintendent, E. S. 
Haskell, makes it one of the greatest attractions in Rural Ceme- 
tery. — Second Annual Report op the Cemetery Board , New 
Bedford Mass. 
* * * 
The By-laws, Rules, Regulations, etc., of the 
Bellefontaine Cemetery, St. Louis, Mo., have been 
reissued, with corrections made to date of July 1, 
1897, and the following extracts therefrom cover 
considerable ground, and show a radical advance: 
* * * 
Stone copings to lots, fences and hedges are prohibited. 
* * * 
Class distinctions in public lots are abolished, and the price 
of single graves in them is fixed at $30 each. 
* * * 
Joint owneiship in lots of 400 square feet, or less, not per- 
mitted. 
* * * 
Any fence, inclosure, entrance, entrance post, coping or 
curb which may be, or hereafter become, dilapidated and un- 
sightly may be caused to be removed by the Board of Trustees 
at the expense of the association. 
iff * * 
No entrance or entrance post may be placed upon any lot, 
and no steps, except where required by the grade of said lot. 
* * * 
No more than one monument or mausoleum may be placed 
upon any one lot, and no headstone upon any lot shall be higher 
than ten inches above the ground, except by special permission 
op the association. 
* x * 
On the decease of any owner or part owner of a lot in the 
cemetery the heirs or devisees of such decedent must file in the 
office of the association full proof of their heirship or proprietor- 
ship, for the purpose of being duly recorded in the books of the 
association. Without such proof and record the right to the lot 
cannot be recognized by the association or its officers. 
* * * 
In the mat er of permits for interments in private lots the 
rule requiring owners to sign such permits will be enforced in 
all cases. 
Producing a deed will not be considered any authority for 
opening a grave in a private lot. Persons obtaining permits for 
interments in private lots will be held responsible for all expenses 
for disinterments in case such permits, for any cause, were er- 
roneously issued. With the lapse of years some lots are held by 
the great grandchildren of the original owners, and heirs are so 
singularly negligent in notifying the association of their rights of 
inheritance that in some cases, especially where names are 
changed by marriage, permits may be refused to persons who 
can rightfully demand them. As this is a matter of importance 
to lot owners, their attention is called to the rule concerning 
“Decease of Owners,” (given above). 
* * * 
No graves will be dug on Sunday. No orders for Sunday fu- 
nerals will be issued after 12 o’clock noon on Saturday. 
* * * 
The following extracts from the Rules and Regu- 
lations of Riverside Cemetery, Marshalltown, Iowa, 
suggests pointedly the advisability of making every 
effort to both interest and educate lot owners and 
citizens, and nothing is more stimulating in this re- 
gard than well-gotten-up reports, illustrated and 
otherwise attractive. More positive attention is 
paid to such productions, and they are not usually 
so carelessly set aside: 
Much credit is due the ladies of the Ladies’ Cemetery Aid 
Society, who have spent several thousand dollars for improve- 
ments at Riverside. Also the B. B, C. Society of young ladies, 
auxiliary to the Cemetery Aid, who spent over one thousand dol- 
lars in beautifying the cemetery. Heretofore no provision has 
been made for perpetual care of the lots, but this omission is 
supplied, as will be seen by the rules just established. River- 
side is conducted on the lawn plan, and admirably situated and 
adapted for cemetery purposes. 
* * * 
The bottom or lower base of all monumental or other su- 
perstructure work must be squared sufficiently to allow it to rest 
on the foundation in its proper position, as no wedging or under- 
pinning will be allowed. All monumental bases must be set in 
a bed of cement mortar, evenly covering foundation. 
* * * 
Gravemarks or headstones in all parts of the cemetery 
which are less than six inches in thickness shall not exceed six 
inches in height above surface of ground, and must not be 
