252 
PARK AND CEMETERY. 
In reference to Mr. Eurich’s address on Endowment for 
Mausoleums, I will advance just a few comments. 
I agree with him that cement, beyond a question, has 
not been satisfactory for a family mausoleum. 
I agree with him that closer scrutiny should be given 
mausoleum plans, because so many of them in years past 
have been put up improperly constructed. 
I agree with him that roofs should be in large pieces, 
with a minimum of joints. I do not think, however, that 
it makes much difference on the side walls, except, that 
the more joints the longer it will take to repoint the build- 
ing when it becomes necessary. 
If the joints are thoroughly grouted to start with, the only 
extra expense of having more joints, would be the cost of 
repointing, which would be a comparatively small item 
with the man on the job. Sometimes more joints make a 
better-looking building, as they preserve the scale of the 
building better, speaking architecturally. 
It is then a question of whether one desires such a design 
to have a better architectural effect, or save additional expense 
of pointing. 
Small stones are only necessary in some designs, in the 
majority of designs large stones are best any way one looks 
at it, except, perhaps, the limited expense on over-size stones. 
Marble lining, if properly wired, wires being babbitted into 
the granite, can be made so it will be durable, but as Mr. 
Eurich intimates, granite on the interior is far superior. 
Many of the small mausoleums are built without slate 
lining at the backs of the crypts, the shelves being only 
supported with metal pins led into the granite wall. We have 
not built one in this way in twenty years, believing as we do, 
that a partition between the crypts and main wall is abso- 
lutely essential. 
I agree with Mr. Eurich that dead air spaces, advocated by 
some, are wrong, but on the other hand, I think Mr. Eurich 
is mistaken in going to the other extreme of large air spaces. 
His theory is, the larger the air space, the less condensation 
will appear. 
Condensation is caused by warm air striking a cold surface, 
the moisture in the atmosphere immediately attaching itself to 
the surface. 
Open a mausoleum suddenly on a warm day, step inside 
and observe at once the condition of the interior, and it will 
be found to be dry. Look at it a minute or two later, and it 
will be found covered with moisture, caused by the large 
volume of warm air coming in. 
If the opening be small, the air changes gradually and 
causes comparatively little condensation. 
In our opinion, the ventilator opening should not be large, 
merely enough to create a gentle, continuous flow of air be- 
tween the lining and main wall. 
As to crypts, there is a difference of opinion, but I hold 
the theory that crypts themselves should not be ventilated 
at all, but should be sealed tight. 
Mr. Eurich makes two points which are interesting, and I 
shall take pleasure in giving them further study, namely; 
First : 
His theory there should be more ventilation in the upper 
part of the building than in the lower. 
Second : 
His adjustable shutter theory. 
Off-hand, the first one does not strike me as being right, 
for the reason that air outside is usually warmer than air in- 
side, and as it enters through the upper ventilator it simply 
passes from that side and goes out the upper ventilator on the 
other side, whereas, if the warm air enters the lower venti- 
lator, it will naturally go upwards to the upper outlet. 
Mr. Eurich’s main point made, “Endowment” is beyond 
argument and a very desirable and proper idea. 
In conclusion, I respectfully suggest that there should be 
less antagonism toward mausoleums on the part of cemeteries 
with an increased antagonism toward improperly constructed 
mausoleums. 
Antipathy to burial in the ground is wide-spread, but most 
of us have to forget that feeling and be satisfied with six feet 
of Mother Earth. There are many thousands who do not have 
to be so satisfied and will demand it. 
Therefore, it is up to the cemetery authorities and mauso- 
leum builders, in the interest and uplifting of their life’s work, 
to see that every reasonable precaution is taken to make them 
durable. , Yours for that which is best, 
Chicago. Chas. G. Blake. 
ASKED AND ANSWERED 
An exchange of experience on practical matters by our readers. You 
are invited to contribute questions and answers to this department 
Care for Unpaid Single Graves. 
How are single graves marked and 
cared for, when no care is paid, and 
never has been paid? — F. J. T., Texas. 
This question with several others 
pertaining to the care of single grave 
sections was submitted to a number of 
cemeteries in different parts of the coun- 
try and the replies will form a sympo- 
sium on the subject in the January is- 
sue of Park and Cemetery. Only a 
few of the replies referred directly to 
the above question, possibly because 
the cemeteries addressed may not have 
had public burial plots such as are com- 
mon in many city-owned cemeteries. In 
nearly every instance those heard from 
say the single grave sections receive the 
same care as other parts of the grounds. 
As a rule no monuments are allowed ; 
the graves are level or nearly so, and 
marker with either granite, marble, con- 
crete or iron markers or numbers. The 
latter are usually furnished without 
charge. Supt. Erskine, of Pine Grove 
cemetery, Manchester, N. H., expresses 
what is undoubtedly the opinion of 
many in these words : “I see no other 
way than to give these graves all the 
care possible and forget the expense.” 
It is the consensus of opinion among 
modern cemetery men that provision 
must be made to have every corner of 
the cemetery cared for. 
Ridding Lawn of Red Oxalis. 
Is there any way to eradicate red ox- 
alis which is ruining many lawns in this 
vicinity? The plant has reddish brown 
leaves, yellow flowers and very deep 
roots. The seeds are thrown long dis- 
tances and the plant also spreads by 
creeping along the ground. — J. S., Cal. 
Red oxalis thrives better in poor soil 
than lawn grass does. Lawn grass de- 
lights in a good soil enriched by well 
decomposed manure. Where oxalis 
shows in our lawns we top dress it gen- 
erously with manure and water freely. 
This treatment encourages the growth 
of the grass and has the opposite effect 
on oxalis. 
John McLaren, 
Superintendent of Parks and Squares. 
San Francisco, Cal. 
