28 
PARK AND CE/AETERY. 
Previous to 1 880 the cemetery was sadly neg- 
lected. Lots were sold — rather given away; some 
graded and cared for their lots but the majority did 
not. At the date mentioned the city passed an 
ordinance charging for lots of 200 square feet, a 
price not exceeding $20.00, which price has been 
and is now that charged for the best; those not so 
desirable bringing lower prices down to $5.00 each, 
which latter figure is perhaps a great mistake. 
The annual appropriation is small and the lots 
being so cheaply disposed of, too scant an amount 
of money is realized for assistance in making im- 
provements. 
The sale of lots annually amounts to about $600 
and for care the average is about, annually, $800. 
For perpetual care there has been paid about $7,000. 
Lots are sold only to citizens, unless a special grant 
is made to a stranger who then may purchase by 
depositing not less than $50 for perpetual care. 
Before 1880 few citizens or strangers cared to 
visit Bath Cemeteries save to bury their dead, but 
now in spring, summer and autumn, on pleasant 
days, visitors are numbered by hundreds, and Oak 
Grove serves as a public park as well as burying 
ground. 
Six years ago, the building including the office 
and conservatory and located in Maple Grove Cem- 
etery adjoining, was burned, but a substantial office 
and green house was re-erected upon the same site. 
Though nature had done much for Oak Grove, 
its growth in beauty year by year from a pasture 
on the hill sides to a park as tasteful as any, (if not 
superior to all,) through not so extensive or so well 
financially endowed as some in Maine, is due chief- 
ly to the taste, ability and skill — and untiring in- 
dustry of its Superintendent, John H. Ramsay. 
C. D. C. 
Planting on Graves. 
Although it may not be strictly in accordance 
with the most modern ideas of good cemetery man- 
agement, allowing graves to be raised above the 
surface and planted with flowers, or foliage plants, 
yet the system will prevail more or less, especially 
in smaller or rural burial grounds; where, however, 
such is practiced, it will be as well to try and se- 
cure uniformity. Nothing can look worse that in- 
discriminate planting upon graves; and nothing 
more seriously marrs the general appearance. 
In the first place planting will be useless unless 
the grave is properly prepared. To do this the dirt 
should be removed to a depth of about eighteen in- 
ches, and replaced by rich, well pulverized soil, 
which should be pressed down firmly with the foot 
— but not sufficiently to make it hard — ^till the fill is 
level with the surface. With the aid of a straight- 
edge, or piece of narrow board, trim the edges of 
the grass with a sharp knife. The margin of the 
sod can be slightly raised, by inserting a spade and 
forcing a little soil underneath, pressing the sod 
down again upon the earth. This will give a raised 
appearance to the grave. 
In places where mounded graves are permitted, 
a grass edge or border will greatly add to the ap- 
pearance. To do this neatly will require a little 
practice. By attending to the following instructions 
any person may soon become expert. The soil in 
the grave having been packed, cut strips of 
matted sod, without any clover roots if possible. 
These strips should be of the same width that it is 
desired to raise the grave in height, and should not 
exceed 4 to 6 inches, the former being preferable. 
Lay the straight edge along the side of the grave, 
and place the strips of sod on edge upon the soil, 
giving it a slight slope upwards, and joining the 
pieces together on the under or dirt side with small 
wooden pegs about the size of a lead pencil. The 
same should be done with the ends. Mind and 
press the sod firmly into position, — pounding with 
the fist is as good a way as any. Having made the 
border or box, hold the straight edge along the top, 
and with a sharp knife trim the edges, also cut 
away the dirt side for an inch or so, to form a sharp 
edge. Now fill in with fine rich soil to which has 
been added a hand full or two of bone dust. Rake 
off the top and it is ready for planting. 
When graves are raised more than 4 to 6 inches 
above the surface, the more difficult it will be to 
keep the grass boxing green, as well as also keep- 
ing the top soil sufficiently moist for the well being 
of the plants, without excessive watering, — to say 
nothing of the neat appearance if the graves which 
are raised just enough to distinguish them. If the 
grass on the boxing is kept well clipped, it will add 
much to the appearance, and is essential to the ap- 
pearance of an ornamental grave. 
In the early part of the summer pansies make a 
pretty covering for a grave, and in locations where 
they will not winter-kill, violets are beautiful. But 
the principal planting will be for summer and au- 
tumn. Some of the prettiest effects can be obtain- 
ed with Alternanthera, which being of drawf and 
compact habit, enables close planting. Their beau- 
tifully variegated foliage of crimson, purple, yellow, 
pink and green, form rich masses of color always 
pleasing and attractive. The patterns or devices 
must be left to the individual taste. A charming 
effect may be obtained by the use of a border of 
Echeveria, about the size of a half a dollar, planted 
between the boxing and the Alternanthera. Or 
letters or words can be made, either diagonally or 
lengthwise of the graves, and the remainder of the 
