PARK AND C EM ETER Y. 
139 
retort, 30 minutes. The retorts are con- 
structed of the best fire clay and asbestos, 
and capable of withstanding intense heat; 
the exterior finish is porcelain. Not less 
than two witnesses are always present 
when the casket is placed in the retort. 
The body may be seen during the entire 
In our February issue, review of the 
work of the Spokane Park System traced 
the work accomplished in this remarkable 
system of pleasure grounds up to last year, 
and this year’s report of Superintendent 
John \V. Duncan, published in the Official 
Gazette of the city, presents further inter- 
esting details of recent park development 
in that city. 
When the present board began its work. 
Spokane had 173.5 acres of land for park 
purposes and ranked thirty-third in Ameri- 
can cities as to park development. They 
now have title to 1.933 acres and have 210 
acres on which the titles are being per- 
fected. 
This city has been blessed by nature 
in having areas in and surrounding it which 
are very picturesque and covered with nat- 
ural trees and shrubbery, making it possible 
to produce excellent results, with very 
limited costs, as compared with other cities. 
In order that the improvements and main- 
tenance be kept at a minimum, this com- 
mission adopted the plan, at the beginning 
of its work, of securing these areas for 
parks before their natural beauty had been 
spoiled. They have many hundreds of 
acres of natural park land which require 
time of incineration. The body is not re- 
moved from the casket or even touched or 
handled by anyone. There are no ashes 
from the casket, all being consumed by 
the intense heat. The screws, nails, tacks 
and other metallic substances of casket are 
removed from the ashes by a powerful 
HIGH DRIVE PARKWAY, SPOKANE, 
WASH. 
magnet. The weight of ashes is from four 
to eight pounds, according to the size of 
the deceased. 
Harper M. Orahood is president of the 
Fairmount Cemetery Association ; William 
D. Peirce, secretary, and Claude Cart- 
wright, superintendent. 
IN SPOKANE 
only clearing of the underbrush and the 
making of trails and walks to provide won- 
derfully picturesque picnic and rambling 
grounds. 
Geologists who have studied this region, 
state that it is one of the most interesting 
in America. 
They have gotten well started on the 
second step in the work of the commission ; 
namely, construction and improvement. 
When work began, there were 50 acres 
partially developed. There are now about 
1,476 acres, on which development is well 
advanced. The board is trying to distribute 
this developed area in those parts of the 
city where most needed, and where the 
public shows a desire to make the most 
effective use of it. 
Spokane is now starting the third, and 
not the least important step of the work ; 
that is, the education of the public in how 
to make the most efficient use of its great 
property. There are opportunities in the 
parks for all classes, old, as well as the 
young, rich, as well as poor ; walkers and 
strollers, as well as riders and drivers; stu- 
dents, as well as idlers. 
When all the parks and playgrounds now 
contemplated are completed there will be a 
RECENT PARK PROGRESS 
GLIMPSE OF LAKE MANITO PARK. SPOKANE. WASH. 
l*P RIVER PARK. SAN SOUCI ROCKS. SPOKANE. WASH. 
