PARK AND CRME-TERY 
422 
Hydrangea Hortensia. 
Editor Park and Cemetery — In your issue of October the 
article of Mr. Joseph Meehan on Hydrangea Hortensia is of 
more than passing interest to me, particularly with regard 
to the strange manner in which it seems to turn blue when 
planted out, though my experience differs somewhat from 
his in that in our climate we have them in all shades, from 
the purest white and running through the different shades of 
pink and purple, and to the deepest blue. I had thought them 
separate and distinct varieties until, desiring to secure some 
deep blue ones and not being able to purchase them, I pro- 
pagated some from the best and deepest blue I could find, 
and what was my surprise the following year when they 
bloomed out pink. Relating my experience to a florist he 
said the blue color could be obtained by mixing iron shavings 
with the soil when potted. Whether this is true, remains to 
be seen ; having treated some in this manner, I will be able to 
report next season. This seems to be a good field in which 
to experiment. 
Jno. R. Hoofer, 
Supt. Hollywood Cemetery, Richmond, Va. 
* * * 
Vitis Coignetiae. 
Editor Park and Cemetery — We are mailing you under 
separate cover leaves of the vine sent out several years ago 
as “Vitis Coignetiae” and recommended at that time as a 
decorative vine producing very brilliant colored foliage in the 
fall. Until this season it has not met our expectations in 
this respect but just now either owing to the greater ma- 
turity of the vine or a specially favorable season or perhaps 
part of both, the vine in question is certainly a most beauti- 
ful sight as the foliage has turned the most brilliant crimson 
and yellows as you will note by the leaves sent you. If this 
plant will continue in the future to produce such magnificent 
color it certainly is well worth more free use. 
The Elm City Nursery Co., New Haven, Conn. 
[Prof. Bailey regards this as one of the best of all the 
strong-growing vines. It is sometimes called “Crimson Glory 
Vine” because of its brilliant scarlet foliage in the fall. 
Joseph Meehan and C. H. Atkins write in the Florist’s Ex- 
change of its failing to color with them, but the beautiful 
leaves received from New Haven clearly indicate its possi- 
bilities under right conditions. It is comparatively little 
known but is such a desirable acquisition that it is certain 
to become popular.] 
* * * 
Ohio Cemetery Officials Organize. 
The following report of the Secretary of the newly-formed 
“Ohio Association of Cemetery Superintendents and Officials,” 
comes from the president, J. C. Cline, Dayton, O. : 
Observing the great good which the Association of Ameri- 
can Cemetery Superintendents, during its fifteen years of 
organization, had accomplished in all the larger cemeteries 
of the United States and Canada, and believing that greater 
work could be done by disseminating the knowledge, gained 
by membership with that Association since its organization 
in smaller cemeteries in the state of Ohio, whose officials 
could not meet with the parent Association every year in 
distant parts of the country, J. C. Cline, Superintendent of 
Woodland Cemetery, of Dayton, Ohio, in the early part of 
August, wrote personal letters to all the prominent cemeteries 
in the cities of the state to have their superintendents meet 
at Columbus on the 4th day of September for the purpose 
of organizing an Association for the state of Ohio. 
The proposition met with a ready response and on the date 
set the meeting convened at the Neil House at ii o’clock a. 
m., with twenty-two superintendents present. Letters were 
received from as many more regretting their inability to be 
present. On motion Mr. J. C. Cline was chosen chairman and 
Mr. A. H. Sargent secretary of the meeting. 
The meeting was called to order and the organization 
formed. Committees were appointed on nomination of offi- 
cers for the ensuing year and on constitution and by-laws. 
The following constitution and by-laws as presented by the 
committee were adopted : 
The Association to be known as the “Ohio Association of 
Cemetery Superintendents and Officials.” 
Superintendents, assistant superintendents, presidents, sec- 
retaries and other officials connected with cemeteries are eligi- 
ble to membership. 
The membership fee was fixed at three dollars and the an- 
nual dues at two dollars. 
Application for membership to be made to the secretary 
and if accepted by the Association, membership shall date 
from the first of the following January. 
The officers of the Association shall consist of a president, 
vice-president, secretary-treasurer, and an executive commit- 
tee of five members, and such other committees as shall be 
found necessary. The president and secretary to be mem- 
bers of the executive committee. 
The committee on nomination of officers for the ensuing 
year reported as follows: For president, J. C. Cline, “Wood- 
land,” Dayton; for vice-president, Jno. J. Stephens, “Green 
Lawn,” Columbus ; for secretary-treasurer, G. C. Anderson, 
“Graceland,” Sidney. Executive committee appointed by the 
president: Jacob Hartman, Jno. J. Stephens, and George 
Van Atta. 
Dayton was selected as the place of next meeting. Date 
to be decided by the executive committee. 
* * * 
beautify the School Grounds. 
The effort of every city, town and hamlet is to secure 
parks and to beautify them. These efforts are to be com- 
mended and we hope to see the good work go on, until the 
esthetic taste for nature shall reach our school grounds, es- 
pecially our western city schools. Would it not be well to 
reverse the method by spending more money for school 
grounds and have portions set aside for ornamental planting? 
Is there any reason why our school grounds should not be 
the breathing spots for our citizens during the long summer 
vacations and warm summer evenings ; by so doing we can 
do away with the city squares, thereby saving large sums of 
money which could be used to enlarge our school grounds and 
to beautify them. When I look back to my school days I 
remember only a mud yard and cinder paths and now, after 
twenty years, I visit the grounds of some of our city schools 
and find them just the same or even worse than they were 
long ago. 
Is it not time to look first at our school grounds and make 
them the homes of our children, the pride of our youth and 
the pride of our nation? A few trees, shrubs and flowers 
with some instruction as to their care and growth would 
break the monotonous routine of our public school work 
and help the pupils to be better citizens. 
Sid. j. Hare. 
