Editorial JVote 
The Rochester Convention of the A. A . C. S. 
The annual convention of the Association of Amer- 
ican Cemetery Superintendents, held at Rochester, 
N. Y., the 7th to 9th of the present month, from many 
points of view was among the most successful of a 
series of successful annual meetings. No association 
in the country can, for the comparatively few years 
of its existence, show more pronounced results either 
in work accomplished or in influence exerted for good, 
in its field of usefulness, and the deliberations of the 
recent convention promise still further progress in the 
development of the modern cemetery as it is now un- 
derstood. Rochester is in a measure an ideal city in 
which to hold such a convention, possessing as it does 
cemeteries, parks and private grounds of a high order, 
object lessons affording instruction and pleasure at the 
same time, and which was appreciated by the very large 
attendance. The papers were varied in character and 
led to valuable discussions ; the president, in his ad- 
dress, emphasized the point of educating lot-owners to 
the fact that each lot is only a part of the whole ceme- 
tery, and that elaborate monumental display is not 
only unnecessary, but too often a blot upon the land- 
scape, a matter frequently dwelt upon in these columns. 
A notable feature in the membership of the association 
is that the oldest members maintain their devotion 
to its interests, and enthusiasm in the cause of a “beau- 
tiful cemetery” is as forceful as ever. There is no 
question whatever but that the influence of the associa- 
tion is extending, at the same time that its membership 
is increasing, and there is a decided tendency to pro- 
mote the formation of state organizations subsidiary to 
the parent one. This is an excellent promise, as it will 
more particularly promote local reform and lead to 
the improvement of the smaller cemeteries and rural 
burial grounds, which as yet have scarcely felt the 
touch of modern ideas of cemetery care. A call has 
been issued bv the superintendents of Illinois for a 
meeting at Springfield on September 29, to form a 
state association. 
^ ^ ^ 
Some Cemetery Suggestions. 
In a paper read at the recent meeting of the Na- 
tional Funeral Directors’ Association, and which is 
given in another column, Mr. C. M. Loring of Minne- 
apolis offers many excellent suggestions on the sub- 
ject of cemetery progress and maintenance. His re- 
marks are in the direct line of development in modern 
progressive ideas and afford food for thought to both 
cemetery officials and lot owners. One of the most 
desirable reforms is that connected with the monument 
question, and the modern cemetery, developed on the 
lawn plan, will remain a subject open to criticism until 
well defined rules relating to memorials are enforced. 
The landscape of the modern cemetery, when defaced 
by tasteless and crude monumental productions, be- 
and Comment. 
comes a delusion rather than a delight, and tends to 
irritating rather than restful contemplation in all na- 
tures of tasteful proclivities. Another much needed 
and very appropriate reform is that of the single grave 
section, with which is too frequently associated the 
idea of the “potter’s field.” No humane or self-re- 
specting cemetery association should fail in the effort 
to make this part of the cemetery as interesting and 
beautiful as any other section. It may require alto- 
gether different treatment and may not afford such 
positive returns either in broad effects or financial 
emoluments, but if the modern cemetery be anything 
but an evanescent fad, the single grave section must be 
made harmonious in every respect with the other sec- 
tions, and be provided for just the same. Mr. Loring’s 
suggestion on lot speculation and his reference to the 
laws of Minnesota demand attention. It would, indeed, 
be well if all the states brought themselves into line on 
this subject of cemeteries, for they will always be of 
genera! interest and should be legally controlled, so 
that the sentiment attached to them may be maintained 
alive and incorrupt. 
^ ^ ^ 
Weeds and Decorative Plants. 
A trip into the country at certain seasons of the 
year gives us a panorama of natural beauty undreamed 
of in urban life, and the staunch advocate of outdoor 
improvements is amazed that the countryman does not 
avail himself of some of this wealth of lovely plant life 
with which to decorate his home yard. And thereon 
hangs a tale ! Many of the most beautiful of our wild 
flowers, whose profusion throws a color over the whole 
landscape, are to the country dwellers noxious weeds, 
a menace to their tillable land and an immediate re- 
minder of the probability of unceasing labor in the fu- 
ture. An attractive roadside of golden rod and asters 
means more or less constant work on the adjoining 
fields to keep them free from the incursions of these 
persistent violators of clean tillage, one of the first re- 
quirements of high-class agriculture. And without re- 
ferring to so many others of the farmers’ enemies, so to 
speak, it is evident that in all legislation that may be 
enacted in the future to further the cause of outdoor 
art, the most scrupulous care and mature knowledge 
must be invoked to insure that no injustice may be done 
to those whose welfare depends upon the control and 
subjugation of such plant life as is inimical, under cer- 
tain conditions, to good farming. And this suggestion 
may induce a closer consideration of the question of 
how to interest the countryman in outdoor improve- 
ment, or how to present the matter to him forcibly 
enough to center his attention upon the importance of 
the proposition in the benefits likely to come to pass. 
The countryman is generally surrounded by beautiful 
landscape effects, but does not appear to appreciate nat- 
ural beauty close at home. 
