412 
PARK AND CEMETERY, 
CFMETFRY NOTFS. 
The directors of the Oakhill Cemetery Co., Oswosso, Mich., 
contemplate the erection of a building, to serve also as an en- 
trance to their cemetery, and other improvements to be under- 
taken the coming season. 
* * * 
One of the finest crematoriums in the country is practically 
completed in Forest Home cemetery, Milwaukee, Wis. , and 
eighteen cremations have already been carried out. Many of 
the most complete and successful crematories were visited and 
examined before details were finally decided for the above build- 
ing, 
» * » 
The annual report to the trustees of the Green|Lawn Ceme- 
tery Association, Columbus, O., at their recent regular annual 
meeting show receipts for the year amounting to $33,434.87, of 
which $13,286 was derived from the sale of lots. The total dis- 
bursements were $32,187.84, of which amount $20,976.49 was 
paid for labor and $1,900 for salaries. The association has $114,- 
305.48 invested in sundry securities. 
Interments may of necessity have to be stopped in Holy 
Cross Cemetery, Flatbush, Brooklyn, N. Y. It comprises about 
145 acres, and was purchased about half a century ago. The first 
interment took place July 13, 1849, since which time over 200,- 
000 burials have taken place. It is fast filling up, and no more 
adjacent property can be secured for extension. Although yield- 
ing a large revenue, it is only during the last few years that any 
improvements worth mentioning have been accomplished. 
* * » 
The severe simplicity of the massive granite pillars and iron 
gates erected a year ago for the entrance of St. Agnes cemetery, 
Albany, N . Y., has been greatly relieved by the addition of an 
ornamental cross on the apex of each of the two large centre 
columns. The design was by Mr. John T. Gunson, architect, 
and the particular features are the fleur-de-lis terminals, that be- 
ing the conventional emblem in art of the Virgin Mary. The 
board of trustees has decided to continue interments during the 
winter months, which will be appreciated by those to whom the 
second funeral is distressing. 
* ♦ * 
Probably the most important Bohemian cemetery in the 
country is the Bohemian National cemetery of Chicago. It is 
conducted on the mutual plan and comprises some 50 acres. Its 
perpetual care fund now amounts to $15,000 and it is the inten- 
tion to increase this to $40,000 before using any of the interest. 
$30,000 have been expended in improvements within the last 
year, which include a new entrance with office and waiting 
room, built of Bedford stone; office and greenhouse, and dwell- 
ing house for superintendent and sexton. There are about 1 100 
lot owners and 11,000 interments have been made. The six 
greenhouses cover an area of 135 feet by 96 feet. The water is 
supplied by an artesian well, and an ingenious method of water- 
ing the trees about the entrance has been adopted. When the 
rows of trees were set out, a gas pipe enclosure was constructed 
to protect them. This has been utilized for watering by attach- 
ing a supply, and putting outlets along the pipe opposite each 
tree. Much enterprise has been displayed in conducting the af- 
fairs of this cemetery, creditable to the management. 
• * * 
Mrs. Bazil Holmes in her book of “The London Burial 
Grounds,” speaking of the multitude of monuments in Kensal 
Green, makes the following comments: “It is hardly possible to 
appreciate such memorials when they are closely hedged in by 
others in all descriptions of stone of all styles and sizes, and in all 
styles of architecture. And it is appalling to think of the amount 
of money that has been spent on these massive monuments. 
How many a church or chapel might have been built in a grow- 
ing district; how many a beautiful old church, now falling to de- 
cay, might have been restored; how many missionaries might 
have been sent to foreign lands; how many hospital beds might 
have been endowed ; how many struggling families, or sick mem- 
bers of the same, might have been given a holiday in the coun- 
try or by the sea ; how many spaces might have been secured 
and laid out for the people ; how many drinking fountains 
might have been erected; how many grants might have been 
made to voluntary schools or secular institutions for benefiting 
mankind ; and how many objects of real beauty and antiquarian 
interest might have been preserved ! It is impossible to give 
an answer to these questions — perhaps one would be sadder still 
if one could.” 
* * « 
A statement was left in writing by the late Countess of 
Wemyss, says 'Cos. Funeral Diteciors' ywrwa/ of London, which 
should have an influence on funeral reform. “I particularly wish 
that no undertaker should have anything at all to do with the 
management beyond providing the coffin, which I desire should 
be made as plain as it is possible to make it. I wish the coffin to 
be laid on the frame of a farm-cart or lorry, covered over with 
a purple, or some colored, not black, so-called pall, and drawn 
by four horses, led by their own drivers, and I should like to be 
carried to the grave by such friends — workers on the estate — who 
are willing to do so. I hope that blinds will not be drawn down 
or crape worn, and that there will be as little outward signs of 
mourning as possible. I hope these wishes will not be looked 
upon as in any way eccentric. They are not so. They are sim- 
ply the expression of a feeling that pomp and expenditure in 
funerals are unbecoming, and that death at the end of a long 
and happy life is more a matter of thankfulness and rejoicing 
than of lamentation or woe — 
“Sleep after toyle, port after stormie seas. 
Ease after warre, death after life 
Doe greatly please.” 
* « « 
The annual report of the president of the Oakland Cemetery 
association, St. Paul, Minn., gives the net ordinary receipts 
$20,803.25, and the net ordinary expenditures $19470.20, of 
which $3,248 was spent for sewets and gutters. The principal of 
the Perpetual Care fund amounts to $80,591.92 and the working 
fund is $9662.25. $87,700 is invested and draws interest. Among 
the details of Treasurers report, dated Oct. 31, 1896, are: Re- 
ceipts from sales of lots, $7338; single graves, $1132; interment 
fees, $1783: tomb fees, $471.50; miscellaneous labor and founda- 
tions, $1170.70. In expenditures, the pay rolls amounted to 
$11,63781; general improvement, trees, shrubs, etc., $299; 
greenhouse, seed, stock and repairs, $373.32; fuel, $664 37. The 
receipts from greenhouse were $3923.15. The superintendent’s 
report shows that: there were 31,950 square feet of old g ound re- 
graded and sodded, and 4350 square feet of new ground. There 
were 36 monuments and 1 10 grave markers erected. Sixty lots 
and 91 single graves were sold, and the net area of land disposed 
of during the year was 10,575 square feet. The total number of 
interments to Oct. 31, 1896, including 296 during the year 
amounts to 12,630. The greenhouse affords interesting informa- 
tion; 88,645 plants of all kinds were grown, 25.495 being used to 
decorate lawns and 49,395 were planted on lots. The estimated 
value of greenhouse work for year, which includes plants for 
cemetery grounds and chapel, is $5251.70 of which the $3923.15 
before mentioned were cash receipts. The average number of 
employes per month is 22. 
