PARK AND CEMETERY. 
CEMETERY GREENHOUSES. 
Whether greenhouses form a profitable depart' 
ment or not, is a debatable matter. But one thing 
is certain. They are a convenience to the lot own- 
ers, and other patrons, many of whom reside a con- 
siderable distance from the cemetery, and do not 
wish to be put to the trouble and expense of con- 
veying plants and flowers so far, and this reason 
a'one, is a strong argument in favor of cemetery 
greenhouses. 
'1 here is also an increasing tendency among offi- 
cials to make our cemeteries more ornamental. This 
fact is more noticeable in the smaller towns, the in- 
habitants of which occasionally visit the large cities, 
and have opportunities for seeing some of the best 
conducted burial grounds. This naturally creates 
a spirit of emulation, and the result a desire to im- 
prove local affairs. 
Frequently in small places there is a difficulty 
in obtaining plants, and often prices charged by lo- 
cal dealers deter officials from doing as much orna- 
mental planting as they would like. 
Now-a-days it is not a very difficult or expen- 
sive matter to put up a greenhouse. Such struc- 
tures can be built to suit the finances of almost 
any cemetery. The outline sketch which we 
give, will do either for a full or a span house, 
which can be lengthened at any time as desired. 
For all practical purposes a ^ span house is suffi- 
cient and a little cheaper to build. 
There is not much economy in putting up too 
small a house; a nice size is 40 ft. by 20 ft. or 60 ft. 
by 20 ft., either will prove to be a useful size. These 
will give an 18 ft. interior, which space can be di- 
vided in the most profitable manner. 3 ft. benches, 
with paths 2 ft. wide. At the present time mater- 
ial for building can be had at low figures, and nearly 
all the requisite parts for a greenhouse can be ob- 
tained from the firms in that line, whose adver- 
tisements appear in the columns of PARK AND 
Cemetery. 
The lower walls can be constructed of wood, 
brick or stone; but the two latter are preferable and 
at the present prices are almost as cheap as wood. 
To many, the stocking of a greenhouse seems an 
expensive matter. But really it is not. A few 
dozen plants put out of doors in the spring will yield 
an abundance of cuttings in August and September. 
7 
These can again be cut without spoiling the plants 
in early spring and make strong and thrifty plants 
for out door work the next summer. Beginners are 
apt to fill their houses with all kinds of plants; this 
should be guarded against, and only such as will 
prove useful and necessary for out door planting be 
propagated. This will permit of the house being 
emptied and cleansed. It is astonishing how soon a 
place can be filled by the judicious use of a few 
good stock plants. B. L. 
Planting Cactuses, 
With the advent of February it is time to think about 
repotting cactuses where needed, and getting them 
started for summer growth. It is very seldom, indeed, 
that repotting must take place, and such times can only 
be determined by judgment and experience. Compara- 
tively young plants will naturally require more frequent 
potting than older ones. The amateur is more apt to 
err on the side of frequent potting, as it does seem un- 
usual to cramp the roots as it is necessary to do with 
this curious class of plants. In many cases it is only 
necessary to shake the soil from the roots and replace 
(in same pot) with new soil. This method is advised 
wherever possible, and the repotting may then be dune 
more frequently, giving the amateur the necessary ex- 
perience as to increase of root in a given period. Any 
roots that appear dried or dead should be cut off close 
to stem, and in potting care should be taken to luve the 
roots spread out as much as possi bl e, and not bunched. 
A dull-pointed stick would b ■ useful for packing the 
earth well a-ouml the roots, which is very essential. 
As to the proper potting soil there are slight dilf r- 
ences of opinion. The chief necessity is to have thor- 
ough drainage, without which the plant will rot off at the 
base. Gravel placed in the bo tom of the pot, or coarse 
sand, will make a good drain. Time rubbish is recom- 
mended by some, but rejected by others. In small 
quantities it is d mbtless beneficial, especially in the case 
of the strong-growing kinds, as Cereus, Opuntia , etc. 
Given thus in moderation it tends to sweeten the soil 
without absorbing too much moisture. Small pieces of 
brick are sometimes used to aid drainage, but it is not 
to be encouraged, as while it loosens the soil, it also ab- 
sorbs the moisture and retains it, making a damp soil. 
Powdered charcoal, sand and ordinary good loam may 
be added in equal parts. Leafmold is used by some, 
but it is apt to sour. 
After potting at this season, presuming that the plants 
have been kept cool and dry during the winter months, 
they should be introduced to gradual heat and water 
increasing as the season advances. For the stronger 
growing kinds liquid manure may be beneficially applied. 
At all times plenty of light is needed — place them near 
the glass, if convenient. Regularity in temperature and 
watering is very necessary for good growth. While 
handling them at this time it would be as well to care- 
fully look for insects that may have escaped notice dur- 
ing the winter. A little attenlion this time will save in- 
creased work in a busier period. — Meehan's Monthly for 
February. 
