PARK AND CEMETERY 
I 50 
North America. The Asiatic kinds have received con- 
siderable attention in Europe and it is possible that 
some Himalayan and Japanese kinds may prove useful 
in the States. 
A few arums, Dracunculus vulgaris, and Helico- 
diceros crinitus are heard of in gardens but rarely 
seen, and Pistia stratiotes grows famously in ponds 
during the Southern summer. James MacPherson. 
American Florist . 
TROPICAL ARALES. 
Increasing the Membership of the c/1, c/1. C. S. 
Why does not the membership of the Association of Ameri- 
can Cemetery Superintendents increase? This is a question 
of the deepest interest to all cemetery officials. The next 
convention, to be held in Washington, will be the nineteenth 
anniversary of the inauguration of the association. Vet the 
membership has, for the past ten or twelve years, increased 
but little. The new names added to the list each year only 
about offset the losses. 
That the whole country has benefited by the advent of 
the A. A. C. S. is unquestionable. It was the means of the 
formation of kindred societies for “out-of-door” improvement. 
Thousands of cemeteries and rural burial grounds have had 
to improve. How many in your own locality? People in all 
classes of society in their travels saw examples of good man- 
agement in cemeteries operated by members of the A. A. C. 
S., and demanded a better condition of affairs in their local 
places of sepulture. This is more noticeable in and around 
cities. Yet the officials of these very city cemeteries are con- 
tented to selfishly benefit by the examples set by others, with- 
out contributing to or aiding the A. A. C. S. by becoming 
members, and by helping the other cemetery men to improve 
by interchange of ideas. It is not alone by the reading of 
papers, and taking part in the discussions, that the most 
knowledge is gained at our annual gatherings ; but by “rub- 
bing elbows" with our fellow-superintendents, whose inter- 
ests are identical with our own. The lessons taught by these 
friendly chats are innumerable. 
Not long since the superintendent of the principal ceme- 
tery in one of our largest cities was invited to join the associ- 
ation, and replied that he could not learn anything (be taught 
would have been the better expression), and that he did not 
propose to give the members the benefit of his knowledge and 
experience. This feeling is unfortunately too prevalent. When 
several members paid a visit to the cemetery under this gen- 
tleman's charge they were astonished at the lack of up-to-date 
knowledge displayed. The opening in that city of a cemetery 
conducted along the most modern lines has greatly changed 
the opinion of the people as to the ability of their old super- 
intendent. 
I he writer has come across many of this class ; men who, 
if they are inclined to improve the places under their charge, 
prefer stealing their knowledge rather than giving due credit 
to the association and joining it. Another instance: In a 
prominent city five years ago a modern cemetery was opened. 
There were numerous old-fashioned burial grounds in that 
vicinity, conducted along the same lines that were in vogue 
during their grandparents’ time. Yet to-day there is not a 
graveyard with 20 miles that has not improved, if only in 
being kept clean. None of the officials of these places are 
members of the association. “Cannot afford” and “What’s 
the use” are too frequently the answers ; and frequently the 
blame must be placed on the trustees or directors. Unfor- 
tunately they are generally men busy at their own vocations. 
The cemetery is only a side issue, and they are not much 
interested. 
The superintendent of the only cemetery in a city of over 
ico.oco inhabitants, before the Chicago meeting, wrote that 
he would like to join, hut the smallness of his salary pre- 
vented. The cemetery association is wealthy. Letters, and 
Rochester reports, were sent to the president, and also to the 
secretary, asking them to aid their superintendent to become 
a member, or for the association to have its name on the 
roll and send a representative. No reply was made. If more 
cemetery corporations would become members and send rep- 
resentatives to the conventions it would benefit the cemeteries 
and the A. A. C. S. 
The superintendent of a certain cemetery wished to attend 
one of the conventions. But his directors declined to con- 
tribute toward the expense. He went, however, and in one 
matter alone learned how to overcome a difficulty that had 
bothered his directors for some time, and is the saving of 
at least five hundred dollars a year to that cemetery. That's 
a good investment. 
