PARK AND CEMETERY. 
159 
a mathematical proposition and can be determined by any 
sewer engineer. In good sewer construction much depends 
upon the style and character of catchbasins, which must be 
built so as to rapidly receive all surface water with its suspended 
filth, and second to empty through properly built traps into the 
main sewers, preventing overflows on the surface and holding 
back as deposit all filth finding its way through the cover. The 
following plan has been much used in our city cemeteries at a 
cost including rim, cover and trap complete, of about I15.C0. 
Specifications for this catchbasin include removable cast 
iron top, double elbow for a trap, shale brick laid in Louisville 
cement with both inside and outside plastered completely, with 
Portland cement mortar, composed of two parts of sand to one 
part of cement. 
Subsoil drainage in macadam construction appears to the 
average man an extravagant and useless proposition, and is 
therefore too often entirely neglected. In sandy soil, unless 
the substrata have veins of quicksand, or are traversed by 
springs, there is no necessity for laying drains, but in clay soil 
underdrainage is an absolutely essential part in road building. 
To prevent settlements in the subgrades where quicksand or 
springs are encountered the following plan commends itself as 
affording permanent and thorough results. Either lay pipe 
longitudinally, wrapping the open joints with hay or straw, in 
a bed of cinders, slag, coarse gravel or broken stone, covering 
all sides of the pipe with at least six inches of the porous mate- 
ria], or when the quantity of quicksand and water is unusually 
great, add to the above a system of laterals, 1 rid as above speci- 
fied, according to the following plan: 
■ We have often observed that rain water will re.st for day's in 
the wheel ruts on streets of clay soil, which is almost imper- 
vious to water. Knowing that water is the greatest absorbent 
and disintegrator in nature, it must appeal to us as a most dan- 
gerous neglect to allow water to percolate through our macadam 
roadways, and lay upon the subgrades, especially duiingthe 
winter months, when the expanding qualities of freezing water 
will break even marble or cast iron. 
( To be Continued . ) 
THE NEW YORK CONVENTION OF THE SOCIETY OF 
AMERICAN FLORISTS. 
The sixteenth annual convention of the Society 
of American Florists and Ornamental Horticultur- 
ists, held in, the Grand Central Palace, New York 
City, August 21-24, was a success throughout. 
The proceedings were conducted with a vigor and 
enthusiasm that reflects credit upon all concerned, 
and especially the New York Florists’ Club, the 
practical hosts of the occasion. The meeting far 
eclipsed any preceding convention both in point of 
numbers and interest. The whole country was 
represented, and there were several delegates from 
the far distant states to participate in the meeting. 
Not a complaint or criticism was voiced, the ar- 
rangements for the entertainment were about per- 
fect, and from first to last the convention was an 
eminent success, crowned by the fact that a large 
amount of business was transacted by those pres- 
ent in connection with the trade exhibit. Both the 
trade and horticultural exhibits were valuable, the 
quality of the material shown and its completeness 
being quite remarkable. The private gardeners of 
the vicinity are to be congratulated and thanked 
for the prominent part they took in making the 
horticultural exhibit such a success. 
Eloquent addresses of welcome and response 
were made at the opening of the proceedings by 
acting Mayor of New York, Randolph B. Guggen- 
heimer, and Edgar Sanders of Chicago. The 
address of the president of the society, Mr. Ed- 
mund M. Wood, of Natick, Mass., ably covered a 
broad field and was particular in advocating the 
principle of co-operation. 
In the report of the secretary, Mr. Wm. J. 
Stewart, the system of plant registration conducted 
by the society is pronounced a success. The full 
number of members is recorded as 553, including 
26 life members, a net gain of 1 19 over the previous 
year. 
Besides the business attendant upon so import- 
ant a convention, the following papers were read: 
“Floral Decorations,” illustrated by stereopticon, 
by Robert Kift, Philadelphia," Pa. ; ‘ What I Think 
About Greenhouse Construction,” by J. D. Car- 
mody, Evansville, Ind.; “Arrierican Floriculture, 
Retrospective and Prospective,’' by Prof.- B. T. 
Galloway, Chief Div. Veg. Physiology and Pathol- 
ogy, U. S. Department of Agriculture, Washing- 
ton; “The New York Botanical Garden,” with ster- 
eopticon views, by Dr. N. L. Britton, Director; 
and “The Improvement of the Carnation,” by Wm. 
Weber, Oakland, Md. 
The proceedings were interspersed by trips to 
interesting localities, and an excursion to Glen 
Island, where a dinner was served. On the even- 
ing of the opening day a reception was given by 
the president. 
As a result of the election for officers, Patrick 
O’Mara, of New York, was elected the next presi- 
dent and William F. Kasting, of Buffalo, vice- 
president; Secretary Stewart and Treasurer Beatty 
were retained in office. After a spirited contest 
Buffalo was selected for the convention of 1901. 
The association is expanding in its relation to 
the many directions it is possible for such an or- 
ganization to extend, and promises to solve many 
problems in the florist’s work, which only study 
and investigation by competent committees can 
effectually unravel. While Chicago is a city that 
would offer a generous invitation and entertainment, 
no doubt for next year Buffalo was well chosen. 
