PARK AND CEMETERY. 
l 7 
ercilious or incapable of an advanced education. 
The already large and constantly increasing number 
of cemeteries leads us to enquire, are they established 
and being conducted upon right principles? The advo- 
cates of incineration or cremation of the human species, 
advance a very strong point in their arguments oppos- 
ing interments, that too much valuable land is now oc- 
cupied and devoted to cemetery purposes, thereby de- 
creasing the assessed valuation of, and increasing the tax 
rate in the town where located. While this may be 
true to a certain extent in localities adjacent to such 
large cities as New York, like Newtown and Astoria on 
Long Island, it can hardly be wholly or justly so claimed, 
because the modern cemetery is always easily accessible 
even though far removed, and serves its part and uses as 
a public park which would if set apart to the storage or 
permanent keeping of urns or other receptacles of ashes, 
be required to contain an equal area to accommodate 
the erection of large monuments or memorials, so ex- 
travagantly indulged in, by not only the wealthy, but 
also the poorer classes and too frequently by the latter 
beyond their means. The development of large marble 
and granite quarries and the comparatively low cost of 
producing, working, transporting and erecting those ma- 
terials by machinery, has had the effect to cause an in- 
creased demand for very large lots, not to accommodate 
bujials, but improvements. In nearly all modern ceme- 
teries the acreage of ornamental ground together with 
that occupied by roads, walks and borders exceeds by a 
large percentage that actually intended or used for in- 
terments. Years ago but a small piece of ground was 
reserved out of a large farm upon some commanding 
hill, as a “Burying-ground” for all future generations of 
a family, while in the “Church-yard” very small spaces 
were appropriated by large families within the narrow 
enclosure, because the burials were made very much in 
the same manner that single graves are seen in our large 
cemeteries, and which contains nearly as many graves 
as may be counted upon all the large plats outside of 
that part of the grounds. 
If the location in a town of a cemetery, does affect 
the tax valuation and rate of taxes, it is generally not to 
a very large extent, as cemeteries are usually found to 
cover land of small value for even farm purposes; the 
more uneven the site the better adapted for natural and 
picturesque effects. Then too the very small decrease 
in tax valuation to the town is without dispute compen- 
sated by the benefits received by resident laborers, em- 
ployed upon the grounds, and the support and patronage 
given many kinds of trade, and such enterprises as monu- 
mental works, florists and gardeners. Railroads are also 
greatly helped, not only in passenger but also in freight 
traffic. 
No apprehension need be had that too much of the 
surface of Mother Earth shall, or will be taken up for 
burials into her bosom, but the most important subject 
relating to cemeteries is that of their future care. Those 
newly established have profited by the mistakes made by 
the older ones, in forming from the principal source of 
receipts a “permanent” fund for the maintenance of im- 
provemenls, roads, buildings, etc., and a “perpetual 
care” fund for individual lots. No stronger argument 
can be produced in favor of these systems than can be 
seen in the neglected parts of those cemeteries whose 
managers have failed to observe the great necessity for 
both of these sj stems to preserve the sacred enclosures 
of the dead against the gnawing tooth of time. No de- 
pendence can be placed upon the willingness or ability 
of future generations to keep in good order and condi- 
tion their cemeteries. The care should be placed where 
the responsibility belongs and no outside workmen ought 
to be allowed to enter and undertake to do that which is 
legitimately the right of those whose duly it is to pro- 
tect the interests not only of the cemetery but each in- 
dividual lot owner. There is no more reason that out- 
siders should care for lots, than there is in that they 
should be allowed to make interments. The custom 
originated in cemeteries organized without providing 
proper care systems and the privilege has in most cases 
resolved itself into license, difficult to overcome and 
eradicate. 
The prediction is not an extravagant one that the 
time is not far distant when the creation of any more 
eyesores to communities will be prevented by a rigid 
law requiring all cemeteries to make ample provision for 
permanent care. Although such institutions as churches, 
hospitals, asylums, colleges, etc., may rely upon the 
faith and charity of future generations for support, yet 
the fears of those who have been interested in them have 
prompted the generous to contribute largely to endow- 
ment funds to insure future care. 
The numerous failures of life, fire and other insur- 
ance companies that have attempted to transact busi- 
ness without having a sufficient “reserve fund,” ought to 
serve as an example and lesson to every cemetery hop- 
ing to exist and maintain its present standing, after its 
grounds shall have been disposed of, without having on 
hand a well secured trust fund. 
Great changes in the characterof improvements have 
taken place within the past quarter of a century. The 
lawn plan which strictly harmonizes with and assists, 
but never forces nature, prevails. The great landscapist 
Adolph Strauch produced the most charming and de- 
lightful effects in the unbroken lawns and arboretumsof 
his masterpiece — “Spring Grove” Cincinnati. From it 
was learned and taught the greatest beauty is attained 
in following out simplicity and durability in construc- 
tion. 
In forming rules and regulations, great care should 
be exercised in providing for the best interests of the 
lot-owners. And although to those unfamiliar with the 
requirements preventing abuses, they may appear arbi- 
trary, they should esteem it a p'easure as well as a duty 
to yield a ready and cheerful compliance with them. 
They look to the management for protection against in- 
truders, vandals and ghouls. In turn they should en- 
courage and sustain every effort calculated to increase 
the standing and honor of the home of their deceased 
relatives and friends. 
St. Agnes Cemetery, Albany, N. Y. B. D. fudson. 
