FROM THE GROUNDS UP: PART 1 OF 2
From Bermuda to fescue to zoysia, there's an awful lot of grass in the world.
How do you choose what's right for your cemetery?

WHAT: Watching grass grow has an undeserved reputation as being boring. To a cemeterian, it's exciting to see a nice thick green carpet come up. Whether your cemetery is a traditional upright, a memorial park or a combination of both, maintaining the grass is the biggest part of your operation.

WHY: People may not notice if a bush isn't pruned, but they'll notice if the grass isn't cut, so it's important to have grass you're proud of.

HOW: First of all, if you are in charge of the grounds and you don't have a strong background in turf get to know your local Extension Service. This is a terrific resource; they can steer you to information that will get you up to speed.

Turf is a huge industry, there are changes on the horizon and of course what's best for your cemetery depends on whether you're in Alaska or Hawaii or the Midwest or New York.

Selecting seeds
There are so many different grasses to choose from, it can be confusing, especially since trends change and grasses that were once hailed as the latest and greatest have fallen out of favor. Billions of dollars are spent in this country on seed and turf research. After all, grass is the universal cover.

Selecting seed for your grass cover is like selecting paint for your house. You don't want to run down to the discount mart and pick up the cheapest bargain, you want to choose good quality that will last. You don't want to have to repaint your house every two years, and you certainly don't want to have to replant all those acres of grass at your cemetery, Tap into the turf gurus for your area.

Before contacting the Extension Service for information about what will work best on your property, you need to map out areas with special needs, such as grassy areas by roads where salt may be applied during the winter and hills where extreme slopes make mowing difficult. You're probably going to want to try several different types of grass.

Qualities to look for.  It's unrealistic to say you want your grass to look like a perfect carpet that's ready for a game of lawn bowling. In general, what you want is something with the following characteristics:
•    is low-maintenance,
•    has a nice green color,
•    grows well but not too quickly,
•    does a decent job of covering the soil,
•    has a deep root system so that it will need less water and
•    is competitive so that it won't be easily crowded out by weeds.

There's research going on now on slower-growing grasses, which cuts down on mowing, as well as grasses designed to have resistance to insects built in, cutting down on the need for pesticides. Again, this is a reason to stay in touch with your local grass gurus so you know what's available.

We'll use Spring Grove as an example to demonstrate grass selection. When you look at turf there are two broad zones—North and South. Cincinnati falls in the transition zone, so we've done some experimenting over the years to see what works best.

Tall fescues are a typical cemetery grass. We used to use Kentucky bluegrass, which is a very common grass, but over the years we've decided that it requires too much TLC for one area. We don't know why they even call it "Kentucky” bluegrass, because it's more of a Northern grass. In northern Ohio, it works great, but where we are—and in any warmer climate—it requires too much work and too much money.

A variation, a cultivar called Kentucky 31, was a mainstay for decades, but because it's very coarse looking—it has a wide blade and doesn't feel good when you walk on it—and has poor growth habits, most turf managers decided it's OK for planting along a highway, but otherwise it's garbage.

This spurred research that resulted in a lot of fabulous cultivars called the improved tall fescues. This is exciting stuff, grasses that are adaptable to many parts of the country. A lot of the research in this area is going on in Oregon, but you need to contact your local Extension office to find out what mix of three or four of these tall fescues is right for your cemetery. There could be a list of a couple hundred you could choose from, so you have to do your research.

The reason you plant three or four varieties is so that if one is attacked by disease the others may be OK. Most seed will come as a premixed variety for this reason. You don't want to plant 100 percent of anything.

Consider fults alkali grass for areas that will be exposed to winter salts. This grass seed is used along highways. The package even has a picture of a salt shaker on it to emphasis how it thrives on salt.

We tried it a few years ago along one of our avenues where the grass would die out every year because of the road salting, and we found that the fults grass looked unbelievable. We planted it 10 years ago, with a mix of a few other grasses, and we've still got a lot of grass there. We would recommend fults grass for seeding near any roads.

Zoysia and the "grass should be green" issue. Spring Grove used to be big on zoysia. Back in the 1950s, we had a cemetery manager who was a Mr. Turf Extraordinaire, and he thought zoysia was going to be a panacea for the Midwest. It's tough and competitive and drought resistant and slow-growing. He brought in a lot of zoysia and we still have a lot of it.

Like buffalo grass, zoysia is brown part of the year. Zoysia is really a Southern grass, and it browns out very early. Back when we started here, we used to have to mix up a high-quality green latex paint and water and spray the brown zoysia areas. In Cincinnati, people wanted their grass green, and they were having fits over the zoysia—“It's ugly; we can't stand it."

Today, we still have zoysia and we've added buffalo grass, but we don't do any painting, and people don't complain. People might notice, on a horticultural tour during the colder weather, that some of the grass looks different. They'll ask about it and it's kind of fun to explain about the different grasses we use and why.

People are more environmentally aware today, and they realize that seasons bring color changes. We have plenty of ornamental grasses that change in color, too. Colder weather brings in browns and rusts and tans, more subtle colors, to the landscape. It's the variety in the colors that makes a landscape a mecca for artists. So why did we go over it with green paint? It wasn't unsafe—it was latex paint—but it was goofy.

People today are more in tune with "reduce, reuse and recycle," with natural environmental stewardship.

Buffalo grass is a great alternative to zoysia. It has some of the same characteristics as zoysia but it's not quite as thick and it doesn't take over areas the way zoysia does, so you don't have to worry about it becoming the next kudzu vine.

We started experimenting with buffalo grass a few years back when it was getting a big push, and we like it as a product to use on hillsides where you don't want to do a lot of mowing. It's slow-growing, provides good cover, has a good root system and takes less maintenance than your fescues. Some are so slow-growing you can mow it once a year—or not at all.

Buffalo grass is native to Plains states, so it tolerates very low temperatures and high winds. In order to do that, it goes into a brownout stage early in the fall, like zoysia, so it's not going to look green like the rest of your cemetery. But it's going to be green during the growing season, and it's going to do what you want a ground cover to do, which is control erosion.

It's also tough as nails and needs no irrigation at all, so during August if there's no rain it stays green and lush with no irrigation.

When you're in the office and you need to get a message to an employee somewhere on the grounds, what do you use? Smoke signals? The old tin cans and string method? A 20-year-old radio? There's a better way ...

WHAT: No matter how prepared you are and how much information you send people out with in the morning, there are times you need to relay a message to or ask a question of an employee who's in the field.

At Spring Grove, we've come a long way. From 1845, when the Grove started, up till 40 years ago, we were pretty much in the "tin cans and string" era, and now we're state of the art. We just purchased a new communications system in 2004.

WHY: The better your communications, the more efficient your operation can be and the better you can serve your customers. For example:

• A committal service is scheduled for 2 p.m. You learn at the last minute that the service is going to be delayed to 2:45 p.m. If you can communicate easily with employees in the field, they can be doing other things until you notify them it's time to head to the service location.  Otherwise, you're going to have people sitting in their trucks at the scheduled time, waiting and waiting-and waiting. The more efficiently you can deploy your grounds staff, the fewer people you need.

• A driver has run into a pole and knocked out electricity in your area. Are you at a loss about how to get a hold of people, or does your communications system enable you to keep operating when your land lines are down?

• One of your counselors is helping bereaved parents select a burial site at need. Can she get answers to their questions quickly via a portable device? At Spring Grove, our counselors wouldn't think of going out into the field without communications ability. Being able to provide almost instant answers projects professionalism.

• One of your grounds staff members has been corralled by a distraught customer. Bringing flowers to his wife's grave, he found a problem with the monument. Of course your employee assures him the problem will be taken care of. At the Grove, he doesn't have to take our word for it. The employee can reach someone to come to the grave site within minutes.

Just think how much it means to that distraught customer to see a problem getting taken care of right away. He'll be telling everyone he knows how well the cemetery takes care of its families, and you just can't buy that kind of advertising.

HOW: Unless your communications system is state-of-the-art, you should consider upgrading it. As we review the systems Spring Grove has used, setting out the pros and cons, think about how your cemetery's system compares and how you could improve it.

The "tin cans and string" era
This was how the Grove operated until about 1960. It was really the "go find the person you need to talk to" era. If you had an urgent message for someone who was out on the grounds, you'd head in the direction you thought he might be. You'd see someone—not the person you were looking for, of course—and ask, "Have you seen Joe?" And he'd say, "I saw him about 20 minutes ago; he was headed up that road."

With 40 miles of road at the Grove, what were your chances of finding him? More than likely, you'd be led on a wild goose chase for a while—and that was a slow-speed chase, since you can't drive too fast in a cemetery, especially when you're looking for someone. A lot of times you'd end up deciding you should just head back to the office and talk to the guy when he came in for lunch, or at the end of the day.

Even if you were able to locate someone out on the grounds, it was a painful experience. You were always weighing the importance of getting a hold of someone vs. the time lost in trying to track him down.

The radio era
About 1960, we got tuned into a radio communications system. This was before the planned budgeting process we have now, so we explained to the trustees why we thought we needed it and they got it for us.

It was just a shortwave radio type of system. At the time, we thought it was the best of the best, but it wasn't great. We were tuned into a specific frequency, and we'd hear all kinds of chatter from other places.

The chatter caused a couple of problems. First of all, it was annoying, and sometimes people just got tired of it and cut off their radios.

Second, we had no control over what those other people said. The worst was when the University of Cincinnati was adding a large new building and the crane operators were on our frequency. Crane operators tend to spend a lot of time waiting for that bucket of concrete or whatever to show up, and like anyone else, when they don't have work to do they talk, and their language was not acceptable.

When you had a customer with you, you'd have to try to turn down the volume as soon as you heard one of those guys start to blurt out an obscenity. It was hard to be quick enough, and sometimes you were out of the car and had the radio up so you could hear it, which meant that people going by your vehicle could hear it, too. There was a lot of explaining and apologizing necessary, and this went on for two years!
In addition to hearing things we didn't want to hear, sometimes we couldn't hear at all. The Grove's topography is pretty hilly. It seemed like nine times out of 10 the person you wanted to talk to was in a low point where the signal didn't reach the little antennas those radios had.

One thing you heard all the time with that system was, "You'll have to say it again; I didn't hear the first part" On the other hand, at least it was a way to signal people out in the field that you had a message for them, even if what that message was wasn't clear.

Another problem with this system was that all the radios were attached to vehicles. That meant every time you heard a squawk from the radio, or wanted to call into the office with a question, you had to run back to your car.

Last but not least was the fact that there was only one guy in town who could work on the radio system we had. There was no competition, and if we had a problem and he was tied up or on vacation, we were just dead in our tracks.

The "new and improved" radio era
Toward the end of the 1980s, we finally decided there had to be a better system, so we did some research and opted for a Motorola system. We studied the cemetery and found a great place to put up an antenna so that we wouldn't have those blind spots where you couldn't receive or transmit.

The new system also allowed us to use hand-held units. We did still have some radios in the vehicles, but now we had portability. It was a great feeling, having that radio hanging on your belt. Of course, sometimes you walked funny, because those radios weighed about 6 pounds.
And you had to replace your belt every few months.

But having a portable unit was a huge deal. You could keep the volume low and still hear what you needed to hear, and the volume control was easy to reach.

Even so, there still was no way to have a private conversation. Everybody with a radio heard everything that was said. If you wanted to alert someone about a tough situation, a family on their way where the circumstances were tragic, everyone heard it, and a lot of times what you heard would make you squirm.

To help with this situation, we came up with a sort of "code" to use when talking about certain common situations. For example, a lot of times when a burial is going to take place in a wet site, the excavated area will get filled up with water when it rains. You never know when the sexton might have a family with him, so you don't want someone saying on the radio, "Bring the water pump up here I've got a doozy on 132!"

Our people were taught to say, "I'm going to need the instrument on Section 132." Nobody except our employees knew that "the instrument" was the water pump, so that sounded OK to other people who might hear it.
Another problem we still had to deal with was having only one channel. If somebody was already on the line, you had to wait until that person was finished talking. Sometimes you'd be with a family and you'd have to wait five minutes before you could get through and ask your question or relay some information.

We finally asked Motorola if there was anything we could do about this, and they started putting a second channel on any new radios we bought. That seemed like a good idea until we realized that you can only keep your radio tuned to one channel at a time, and if you don't know someone's trying to reach you on the second channel, it's useless.

We were paying a few extra dollars for that second channel, so we had brainstorming sessions about how to use Channel 2. It was kind of hilarious. The only thing we could figure was to use Channel 2 for tours.

Sometimes you have a caravan of several vehicles going through on a tour. They drive from one stop to the next, get out and then listen to somebody talk.

We figured we could give each vehicle a radio tuned to Channel 2 and then the tour leader could offer some profundities while everyone was driving. ''On your left is a very nice vibernum. To your right is a Gothic memorial."

Of course, there were still problems. "We can't figure out how to turn the volume up." "Are you sure this thing is on the right channel? We keep hearing when the next service is coming in—and somebody in Section 132's got a problem with a backhoe pump."

Even so, we felt we were moving forward, and we were, but we were definitely taking baby steps.

The two-way radio plus phone era
About six years ago, Andy Conroy, our president at the time, came back from a conference talking about a new two-way system someone was raving about.

We contacted a company representative to learn more. It was a pretty new system, and pricey. The cost of getting all new equipment, plus the operating costs for daily usage, added up to kind of a staggering number. We weren't sure it would be cost effective.

Last year Spring Grove got a new president, Gary Freytag. We were used to the "all call," everyone-can-hear-everything system we'd been using for decades, but sometimes a new person coming in can give you a different perspective.

The receptionist had become almost a clearinghouse of "somebody needs to get to a radio to discuss this" messages. She was answering 175 telephone calls a day as well as talking to people in person, plus she had to stay tuned into our radio system.

When she was with a funeral director or a family, she wouldn't answer the radio page right away, so of course we'd repeat the message over and over, thinking "Why isn't she answering?" By the time she finally got to you, she'd be kind of fired up and then there'd be some bantering back and forth.

Our new president must have heard some of this, and seen customers who happened to be around raising their eyebrows, so he had his administrative assistant take a look at the costs and benefits of a new communications system.

We talked to a couple of suppliers and they let us try out their systems for a couple of weeks at no charge. This involved giving units to some key personnel so we could see how receptive people would be to using something different. There's always some hesitancy when you make a big change.

At first, some of us wanted to hang onto our old radios "just in case" while we tried out the new radio/phone units. Within three or four days, we'd forgotten all about our old radios, and in less than two weeks, we were saying, "This is unbelievable. We can't imagine ever going back."

With our new communications system:
 • You can contact just one person, or use "all call" when you need to let everyone know about something. Professionalism and "Disney magic" are the order of the day. There's no need for our customers to be exposed to hearing about the grunt work that goes on behind the scenes.

At first, we worried that because we couldn't hear every conversation all day we'd lose touch with what was going on around the cemetery, but we do have the "all call" capability. We're still working on mastering what should be an "all call" and what should be a private conversation.

• There is no usage charge for the two-way radio system. One supervisor even called us from South Carolina, where he was on vacation, when he remembered something that needed to get done. The sound quality was great.

• About 10 of our people have units with cell phone capability. We give people usage limits (in minutes) and we get a report on usage from the company, since we get charged for outgoing cell phone calls. We've had no problems with people abusing them.

When a manager in the field finds out that a backhoe part didn't show up as scheduled, he can make a call right then and there.

Giving cell phone capability to our supervisors has been a win-win situation. Their productivity has increased and they feel more a part of the team. They take the units home with them. Of course, this has a downside. As long as a manager's got a radio with him and it's turned on, he can be reached.

Once Fife was at a restaurant eating chicken wings and watching the Bengals game with some buddies when his "Grove Hot line" started ringing. It was a security guard calling to ask how to turn on the sound system for a wedding that was being held at the cemetery, and Fife was able to give him instructions without leaving the restaurant.

• The units weigh only 3 ounces, so they clip onto your belt without weighing it down, and they're rubberized. If you drop a unit, it bounces like a rubber ball.

• There are other options available, including tying the radios into Spring Grove's computer system. Right now, that is being done only with the PDAs the customer service/security team uses.

Of course, now that we've made the changeover we have a lot of Motorola radios, around three dozen, to get rid of. There's nothing wrong with them—they'll probably work well for someone, so if you're still in the "tin cans and string" or "early radio" era, give us a call. Have we got a deal for you.

Cemeteries are valuable greenbelts.
You know that, but does your community?
To publicize how your grounds benefit everyone
in the area, try these ways of "spreading the green."

WHAT: One way of using your cemetery's natural assets to generate goodwill is to invite people to enjoy events on your beautiful grounds. Spring Grove certainly does that throughout the year, and your cemetery probably does, too.

But we also believe in exporting a bit of nature as a way to remind people that we're an arboretum as well as a cemetery. We're about the cycle of life, and you can't give people a better symbol of renewal and rebirth than a growing plant.

WHY: Plant giveaway programs can generate good news coverage and draw people in who may not have visited your cemetery before. They don't have to be annual events. Try the ones we describe here, or come up with your own tailored to your community and your cemetery, or to a special event in your community like a centennial celebration.

It's a subtle way to get your name out in front of the community, to be a good neighbor and a good citizen. When an at-need situation arises, maybe someone will remember your cemetery because of one of these programs.

And we can't emphasize enough the need to constantly build goodwill in the community, to generate good news stories as often as possible. Because no matter who you are, no matter how hard you try to have a perfect safety record, there may come a day that something goes wrong and the unhappy family runs to the media. When that happens, you want to have a long history of good news so that people will weigh that against the bad.

HOW: We do "green outreach" in a number of ways; we're going to describe three in detail. We've found these three to be cost effective and enjoyable for our employees and the public.

1. The Pansy Program. This is one we just started last year, so we're still working on perfecting it, but we love this idea. We get some tough winter weather here in the Midwest, and we thought it would be nice to do something to celebrate the rebirth of the outdoors environment as we start coming out of the doldrums of winter. In our area, pansies seem to represent that idea.

We decided we'd give away pansies to everyone who comes into the office. We start in mid-February, which is a little ahead of the curve as far as the end of winter. Occasionally we'll get one of those surprise 6O-degree days, but overall it's one of the ugliest months of the year in Cincinnati. The cemetery looks like it's taken a "whupping," with tracking where we've had equipment even though we tried to put boards down. The sky is gray, there's not a bud on a tree.

Just think how great it is to go into an office, maybe to complain about something, and as you're leaving the receptionist says, "Thank you for corning in; we'd like you to have this nice flower to take home and enjoy." Here's this colorful pansy looking you in the eye. How can you not smile when you see a pansy?

Did the bank give you a flower? No. The dry cleaner? No. The grocery store? No. But the cemetery did, and it brightened up your day. And the employee who handed it to you enjoyed doing it, too.

It's amazing how the expression on people's faces change when you hand them the flower and tell them it's free. We include a brief care sheet telling people they can either put the potted pansy on a windowsill and be inspired by it for a couple of weeks, or place it outside.

It doesn't have to be a pansy. Maybe you want to give out petunias, or some other flower. Pansies work well for us because even though the name makes them sound wimpy, they're actually tough plants. They'll tolerate extremes in temperatures, so the cemetery doesn't have to worry about keeping them inside just because it's going down to 20 degrees at night. Pansies love cold weather, damp rainy weather.

You can order them from a local grower, or grow them yourself in your greenhouse. Bring as many into the office as you think you'll need that day, in little pots. Any you don't give out that day can go back outside—you can't keep them inside too long or they start to yellow.

Start planning now, and say "welcome, Spring 2007" with flowers!

2. The Arbor Day Tree Giveaway. We don't do this every year, though it's not very expensive, and it's a natural for cemeteries. Really, is there a cemetery anywhere that doesn't have trees?

When we do it, we team up with the city's urban forestry division. Almost every city has one, or a parks division or something similar. Call up and say you'd like to partner on an Arbor Day project. (Arbor Day is the last Friday in April, by the way.)

One way is to buy seedlings wholesale, maybe for the top two or three plants for your area, and work with the forestry or park people to get them delivered to any schools or libraries who want to do an Arbor Day planting. Newspapers are always looking for a tree planting to take a picture of for Arbor Day, and if your cemetery donated the tree, you hope that will get mentioned in the photo caption or story.

Another way to give out trees is to announce that you'll be giving away seedlings to the first 200 families (parent or parents and at least one child) who come in to the cemetery during a particular time period, maybe the Saturday before or after Arbor Day. You want the child there to talk to about the importance of Arbor Day and trees in general. Having a child also makes for a better visual for the newspapers or television.

You want the parents there for obvious reasons. You'll have a chance to introduce yourself, hand over a card or brochure and ask if you can put them on the mailing list for your newsletter. So it's a subtle way to get some names of people you can eventually approach to talk to about preplanning.

Don't forget to notify the media that you'll be giving away seedlings. They're on the lookout for Arbor Day stories, so "this year. the ABC Cemetery is giving away dogwoods and blue spruce seedlings to beautify the community and celebrate Arbor Day" is news.

This is something you should start out small with, maybe 200 seedlings, depending on the size of your community. If you run out of seedlings, put people on a list to get one later and have a second pick-up day scheduled.
 
You can get a tremendous number of seedlings for a few hundred dollars. When deciding which seedlings to choose, you want to look for native plants that are reasonably priced, easy to transplant and have a high survivability rate. (You can ask the forestry or parks division, or your local Extension agent, for suggestions.)

You don't want Mommy, Daddy and Johnny planting a seedling, getting all excited, watching it grow and then going outside one day to find that it's died. Fife remembers Arbor Day as being Silver Maple Giveaway Day when he was a kid, probably because those trees can survive anywhere, so that's what everyone handed out.

The bigger the seedling, the higher the cost, of course, but you don't want to give people a tree so dinky that no one can really see it and it's going to get run over and chopped up by the lawnmower. You can buy a decent sized seedling sometimes for pennies and certainly for less than $1 a piece.

We give away seedlings 18 to 24 inches high—significant enough so you can see them. We buy them in bulk and repackage them. You can make a fact sheet with transplant and care instructions on it to give out, and a tag maybe with your logo on it that you can attach to the tree.

Or, since you have to repack the seedlings in planting bags with a little sphagnum moss to maintain the moisture, you could use a bag with your logo and the care instructions right on the bag.

The garden editors come running when we do the Arbor Day seedling giveaway. What better advertising can you get than a picture of a child getting his free tree as mom and dad look on? People look at that photo and say to themselves, "Man, that Spring Grove—they're always doing good things."
 
3, The Patented or Special Plant Program. Spring Grove has a Patented Plant Program—yes, some of our plants have been patented. But you don't need a patented plant to do this, just a tree or flowering bush that's special in some way and can offer "babies" to the community.

Maybe you have a great white oak tree you've been mowing around for years. It's got a majestic form and a huge canopy in the summer; it provides late fall color; its beautiful branches and white bark look phenomenal against the winter sky. You don't have to patent it—just identify it, maybe even name it!

Then make it available to the gardening public. Collect its fruit—the acorns—to give away. You could take the next step, of course, and plant the acorns yourself, then give people the seedlings as little potted plants. Either way, this is a fun giveaway.

When you think about it, a lot of cemeteries have been around 50, 70, 100, 150 years, and have plenty of plants that have endured over time. Take photographs of your magnificent tree or plant so people can see what great stock the acorns or cuttings come from, then write a little story about your giveaway to send to the press.

We sell some of our patented plants across the country through our Web site, popular plants that will grow probably in 60 to 75 percent of American gardens. But we're suggesting this as a low-cost giveaway limited to your community.

This doesn't have to be tied to Arbor Day (though it could be), but should be done during a good planting season, meaning spring or fall. As always, include a fact sheet, maybe saying something such as "this is a direct progeny of the champion/the biggest white oak on Section 23 of ABC Cemetery."

Remember, it doesn't have to be a tree, it just has to be a plant that's relatively easy to propagate. We've done this with some of our shrubs. Check with your Extension agent for suggestions.

Maybe you have a nice flowering vibernum—a plant that's adaptable to 90 percent of American gardens. You recall that the previous superintendent said the plant was there, and thriving, when he arrived 30 years ago. It's endured droughts, severe winter and summer weather and flooding. What better test is there? (Be sure to mention that in your press release.)
 
There's no law against naming it the ABC Cemetery Vibernum, taking some cuttings and offering them to the community. Make sure you have photos of it when it's blooming, or that you send out your press release when it's blooming so the newspaper can get a good photo.

☼☼☼☼☼☼☼

We've tried to plant a seed of an idea with this column. Why not try one of these programs next year? Your employees will get inspired—they'll like being a part of this type of goodwill effort.

After all, being in the cemetery business could be a bit of a downer if it weren't for the fact that we're always trying to do some of these uplifting things, too.

The subject which I have chosen is: Why should a Superintendent reside on the cemetery grounds? My answer, is, he should, providing his association furnishes him a suitable home to live in; secondly, I consider myself a public servant to my directors and lot owners and find I can give them much better service by residing on the grounds; then again every lot owner will feel that his interests are in safe hands and that his loved ones are watched over and tenderly cared for by the Superintendent, and if our cemeteries are laid out on the modern lawn plan, up to date, and park-like in appearance, what more pleasant place could any of us ask to reside in than at the entrance of a beautiful, well kept cemetery, with beautiful trees, shrubs and flowers filling the air with their fragrance?

I find that it is much more convenient for me to reside on the grounds than to live in the city some two miles away, where there is no fresh air or cool shade to enjoy after my day of toil is over.

While there will be some difference of opinion in regard to this subject I can only speak for myself; that I am more than pleased to reside on the grounds and am thoroughly in love with my work and I know we all feel a desire to so improve and beautify our grounds that we would not care to reside elsewhere, if we were only so fortunate as to have that privilege.

My thoughts having been often engrossed by the rural beauties of our grounds, led me in my serious moments to pen the following lines, which will give you an idea of their extent and beauty:

"Encircled by a meandering stream, silently flowing to the sea;
True emblem of our mortal course-from time into eternity;
Begirdled well with stable rocks, whose firm foundations stand unmoved;
Amidst the changes wrought around, emblem of the God of love;

Bestudded through with stalwart trees and saplings of a slender form,
Emblem of both old and young, retiring from life's beaten storm;
Bespangled o'er with shrubs and flowers whose varied beauties deck the ground;
Wherein the dead in silence rest, till the archangel's trump shall sound;

Its mountain top o'erlooks the sea, its mounds in harmony agree;
Its hills and vales conspire to raise, an echo to their Maker's praise;
Its winding path, its groves and bowers, adorned with sweet and balmy flowers;
Its placid lakes both east and west, faint emblems of eternal rest;

Where stone and marble yet unwrought, the sculptor's polish have received,
To adorn this consecrated spot, with name or fame of some who lived,
And e'en should many be too poor, a tablet or an urn to raise,
Their inward sigh or silent tear, will oft invoke their need of praise;

Here envy, grief and anger cease, to mingle with the mouldering dust,
The soul returns to God who gave, whose word is truth, whose ways are just,
When generations yet unborn, shall wander o'er this hallowed sod,
And their lost friends and kindred mourn, may they prepare to meet their God.

I thank you, ladies and gentlemen, for your kind attention.

From the publication:
AACS - Proceedings of the 17th Annual Convention
Held at Rochester, NY
September 8, 9 and 10, 1903

Immediately subordinate to a board of trustees or directors there are usually found in a cemetery organization, a treasurer, a clerk and a superintendent and sometimes an engineer, each directly appointed by and responsible to the board.

The superintendent usually divides his employees into gangs according to the nature of the work they are to do. Thus he has a foreman and a gang whose duty it is to clean the roads, another to dig graves, a third to cut grass, a fourth to put in foundations, etc., the size and number of the gangs depending upon the volume of business.

When one in his first bereavement goes to one of our large cemeteries to arrange for the burial of a beloved one, a man called a salesman helps him to select a lot, another takes his order for an interment, a third receipts for his money, a fourth whom he may never see again lowers his best beloved into the grave and later a gang of mowers cuts the grass as often as the superintendent thinks necessary and the financial policy of the board permits.

A large cemetery so administered seems to lack heart, while the small, cemetery where the superintendent comes directly into touch with his lot owners, has the advantage of a personality which makes for good and somewhat lessens the sharp pangs of death.

To efficiently administer the affairs of a cemetery it would seem there should be a large board of trustees, who should meet about once in six months to hear reports and determine the larger questions of policy.

This board should appoint an executive committee of say five members, who should meet as often as once each month. The executive committee should select an executive officer who would be responsible for all the duties usually devolving upon: the clerk, treasurer, superintendent and engineer. This executive officer, by whatever title known, should hire and discharge directly or indirectly, all employees of the association and his word should go in the office or on the grounds.

As far as practical the men on the grounds should be worked not in gangs but as individuals. For instance a man should be given a part of the cemetery, say a section and it should be his business to cut the grass, water and care for the flowers, clean the roadways, and at the same time to check any unseemly conduct on the part of visitors. He should know the location of each lot on his section and it should be his duty to render any little assistance in his power to any of the lot owners on his section. In short it should be his business to know his lot owners and to be a favorite with them.

A number of contiguous sections should constitute a division and of course the number of divisions would depend upon the size of the cemetery. Each division should be placed in charge of a foreman, or perhaps a better name would be "Division Superintendent." He should with the approval of the executive officer hire and discharge the section men and instruct them in the performance of their duties, and keep their time. He should attend all funerals on his division, and be responsible for the neat appearance of the opened grave, the orderly conducting of the funerals, the closing of the grave, the placing of the cut flowers after the interment and the removal from the lot of all material used at the burial. He could of course call upon the section man to help him and in this way both he and the section man would be enabled to remember without effort the names and locations of the more recent interments and afterwards to readily respond to inquiries from friends or relatives.

A book of rules definitely defining the individual and general duties of each employee would be a great aid in promoting a feeling of individual responsibility for the general welfare of the whole cemetery.

In Lake View good discipline is largely enforced by a committee of the employees originally selected by them.

Complaints of lot owners are referred to this committee and report is made to the next monthly meeting of the employees and if anyone has been at fault the committee states the case and announces the assessment of a small fine, which is paid into the employees' sick benefit fund.

It is also the imperative duty of certain employees and it is the privilege of all, to report to the committee any mishap, delay or other circumstances that may appear to be detrimental to the welfare of the cemetery.

The fundamental idea upon which we are working in Lake View is to develop individualism as opposed to gangism in the management of employees, resulting in a federation of small cemeteries, thus adding the good points of the small organization to the numerous advantages possessed by a large enterprise.

From the publication:
AACS - Proceedings of the 17th Annual Convention
Held at Rochester, NY
September 8, 9 and 10, 1903

There is so much difference in size, the location, the natural and unnatural, we might say, or what nature has done and what is required of us to assist in doing to make our grounds attractive and as they should be.

I will first speak of my own grounds. They are composed of about forty acres, with intending purchases of more, in the near future. Nature has done much for us. Our grounds slope gradually to the east and south, with a ravine along the southern border, thus securing proper drainage and sewerage for all time. Twenty acres are now occupied and the other has been laid out in lots, but they will no doubt be more or less changed. All that has been sold and occupied is kept nicely mowed with lawn mower. We make no extra charge for this work. The money from interments and the lot sales more than keep up the grounds nicely, while we have a neat sum on interest for future buying and improvements. We are gradually gaining on the all sodded or lawn plan. I prefer myself to have a slight raise for the mounds; they do not show settling as the level ones do. We have but few trees on the grounds proper; lot owners do not wish them. We think our shrubbery fine; rose, hydrangea and althea predominate. Our lot owners have free access to the grounds at all times and all are helpers, especially the ladies, saving the management a large sum each year in keeping the grounds neat and tidy. I have not had a gate locked in my twenty years care of the grounds and nothing has been destroyed or taken. I believe the best way is to trust persons put them on their honor.

We have a Board of Management of five; one is elected each year, serving five years. The election is by the lot owners, each one having a vote. In this way a social mutuality has grown among the lot owners, especially the ladies that have done much to make our cemetery the attractive place that it is. Of course small cemeteries do not have the large sums of money to expend and work that could be done at once requiring more time to accomplish. We may say we grow, but not like the man's gourd.

All true cemetery superintendents are alike---really men of sorrow and acquainted with grief. No other person is as much confided in and trusted, and should we not be careful and not betray this trust? Let us live and work that managers and lot owners will be sure that that confidence is not misplaced. Kindness and a proper reverence for all who come to the grounds, especially the aged and those who need consolation, should be shown. "Let us reason together."

One of the main requisites of a cemetery superintendent is taste; neatness to know and admire the beautiful and learn to love its life and growth. We should know of it that we may teach it to others. The one who improves his grounds and his home surroundings, not only benefits himself, but the entire community in which he lives, while all are made better. Good examples, like the measles are catching. When a man forms a contrast' between a well cared for home or grounds and the neglected ones, it is a lesson for the thoughtful observer. The importance of improving the home and surroundings cannot be over estimated. The appearance of all that comes under a man's care is evidence of thrift and prosperity or the reverse. There is an uplifting tendency in anything that is beautiful; it is an attraction that comes to us as the fragrance and the beauty of the flowers and the beams of the sun. Every community should have an improvement association and every person should be a member. In a talk before the last meeting of the American League for Civic Improvement, Prof. Wirtbacht said: "What we want to do is to teach the children taste; get taste into the child; get taste into the household and then taste into the community; when we have done that we need not fear the results." This is something for all of us to think about; an excellent subject for all interested in the welfare of our community. Our schools in the teaching of botany, geology and zoology will teach our children for more and better work and living; also much is being done in the way of neatness and economy.

A man's craft furnishes the chief basis for his success, the spirit in which we enter or take up our work, how we serve our constituents, for work of our kind is really sacred and sympathetic and all should be done in kindness, with the thought of it as a duty to those coming to us, thoughtful of the feelings of others. We must be men, true men, ever ready to suit ourselves to the wishes of others; a fraternal heart to heart feeling for all; a life giving sunshine that can come from no other source. Our work is greater and nobler than many realize. We must be educated in our work.  All business requires trained minds; those who fail have not that education. Our work requites mind, body and spirit; no one can teach more than he knows.

Chalmer wrote: "Live for something. Do good and leave behind you a monument of virtue that storms of time can never destroy; write your name in kindness, love and mercy on the hearts of thousands you come in contact with year by year and you will be as legible in the hearts you leave behind you as the stars on the brow of the evening."

From the publication:
AACS - Proceedings of the 17th Annual Convention
Held at Rochester, NY
September 8, 9 and 10, 1903

My experience as Cemetery Superintendent has been so short, that it would appear to be impossible for me to say anything that would be interesting or instructive to men who have had a much longer experience in the work. I am reminded of a circumstance which happened in our city some years ago, which illustrates my position. There was a colored fellow whose name we will call Sam, who had a job of building fires in and sweeping out one of our big stores, Sam went to the store one cold morning, built the fire and then sat down by the stove, intending to remain there but a few minutes, but the fire had such a soothing effect that when the proprietor came in later on he found Sam fast asleep and the stove red hot. He shook Sam violently, when he jumped to his feet and said, "Foe de Lord, Colonel, when I sot down here dat stove wa'nt a b c, and now she am a readin' an' a 'ritin'." A little more than six years ago I was made Superintendent of the Washington Cemetery. Previous to that time I had had no experience in outdoor work whatever. Everything was new to me and everything had to be learned. Fortunately I secured the services of a man who had been employed by my predecessor for some years and knew, of course, when to mow and how to dig graves, that being about all that had been attempted up to this time. The rules at that time had few restraints and permitted almost anything that the lot or grave owner .thought he or she wanted. And, as probably you all know, the first inclination of the bereaved one is to plant something, and it may be a profusion of things. Vines of different kinds with the wire arch for them to run on, seems to be one of the favorites. Of course, as has been wisely provided, time, the great healer of all our sorrows, takes away that pain and loneliness, and the manifold duties of business and household cares cause us to come less frequently to the cemetery. As a rule they know nothing of pruning or trimming, so that because of neglect, ill a comparatively short time, that which was intended to be a thing of beauty becomes a jungle. Six years ago there were a number of lots in our cemetery that were so densely grown in trees, shrubbery and vines that there was but one narrow entrance to the lot. Upon examining the rules of the cemetery, I found that the Superintendent had no power to do anything on a lot without the consent of the owner. I talked to some of them about clearing up the places; in almost every case the lot owners were opposed to having anything disturbed, as they called it, so matters progressed for nearly two years. I knew something ought to and must be done, but what? I had no right under the rules, but little confidence in myself and I think less courage. I laid the matter before the trustees, who, after taking the matter under advisement, determined to make and adopt new rules, which was done in February, 1899.

The new rules put the Superintendent in absolute control of the cemetery grounds, with power to prune, trim or remove anything that was objectionable. Now, of course, I had the power for the time being to do as I pleased, or as my judgment dictated, but I hadn't sufficient confidence in my own judgment to act at once. Then it was determined that our Secretary, Mr. Silcott, and myself should be sent to the convention of the American Association of Cemetery Superintendents, which was held that year in Cleveland, Ohio. The first to greet me on that occasion was our big brother Boyce, who by his cordiality and happy disposition made me feel at home among you at once. I found you all gentlemen, ever ready to extend the right hand of fellowship and everyone willing to impart all the experience and knowledge he possessed and I want to say to you that I needed lots of it. I had not the courage to acknowledge my profound ignorance by asking questions in open meeting, but some of you found it out in our private talks. I found everything very interesting and so instructive that I felt that I had learned more at this meeting than I could have learned in years of experience. I made a resolution then and there that I have carried out ever since, and, thus far, I have not been mistaken, and that is this: When I wish to make a change or an improvement to study the matter well first, and if I satisfy myself that it is the proper thing to do, then to call the attention of my trustees to it, presenting the case in all its bearings as far as I am able. If they see the matter as I do, there is hardly room for a mistake, then push it to completion, but, as Davy Crockett said, "Be sure you are right, then go ahead." When we arrived home from the convention I proposed to at once commence our improvements by putting all corner posts level with the surface of the ground and doing away with the foot stones, which we did during the fall and early winter, without saying a word to lot owners, and, strange to say, there was nota complaint, but many favorable comments. I remember the saying of one of the lot owners, after looking over the section on which his lot was located. He said, "Well, this reminds me of a beautiful grove after the underbrush has been taken out."

We were so encouraged over this experience that we employed an expert to do the pruning and trimming the following spring. This we have done every spring since. We have not only done the trimming, but have taken out a great many trees and shrubs and have probably planted as many or more than we have taken out, but we locate them differently. All this has been done without the knowledge or consent of the lot owners and I have never heard one word of complaint. We have more visitors than ever before and we have nothing but compliments on the improved appearance of the cemetery. I am sometimes asked "What improvements are you going to surprise us with this year?"

Three years ago we commenced utilizing ground that we had in different parts of the cemetery that was not suitable for burial purposes, by setting clumps of different shrubs, such in part as the different elders, golden or yellow leafed, variegated and the common, also red and white Dogwood, Duetzias, Weigelas, Hydrangeas, Sumac and others, all grouped separately. We keep the grass smooth around the beds and the beds are kept clean, so that you can readily see the improvement over the uncared for spots. They are now places of beauty and have improved the appearance of all. While clearing up the lots spoken of above, many rose bushes of various kinds, some very good ones were taken out. We saved all of them. We have a plank fence on one side of our grounds. We set these rose bushes along this old fence, which made quite a long hedge which we are adding to, from the same source, in the planting season. For two years now we have had in the month of June a bower of bloom. Fortunately the bugs, worms or whatever it is that destroys the foliage, have not bothered this very much, so that it is a thing of beauty the season through. A vast improvement over the old fence. This costs nothing except the labor of taking them up and resetting. If any of the brothers have an old fence and a surplus of roses I would advise this method of hiding the old fence and at the same time utilize the roses.

All these improvements date from the time we first met with you gentlemen in convention at Cleveland, Ohio and we really accord to you largely the credit for our improved condition and appearance, for, upon second thought, I don't believe up to that time I had advanced to the a b c class. But, thanks to you as a body and many of you individually, and to our most excellent friend and monthly visitor, Park and Cemetery, I hope I have advanced to the second grade in my work, if not as a writer. I cannot understand how any Cemetery Association that has not been brought to a state of perfection, can afford to be without the help and counsel of this or some similar organization. I remember well the discussion on the manner of filling graves. Up to that time and for a short time after, we filled the graves by throwing dirt in loosely or sometimes when nearing the top we would tamp it a little and the balance of the dirt was wheeled or carted away, and perhaps the next week and I have known it to be necessary the next day, to take a part of the dirt back to refill the grave. This would probably be necessary a half dozen times in as many months. Now we tamp all the dirt back that will go in, raise the grave a little above the grade, put the sod back and we rarely have anything more to do with it. So that if the friends return to the grave in two or three hours, the open grave they left is exactly like its neighbors, except perhaps for the flowers that were left to be placed on top. We find this much more economical for us and much more satisfactory to the friends. It at first used to surprise some of them to find the grave sodded, but I never heard anything but the most pleasant remarks about it. I do not believe there has been a paper, except perhaps this one, read, or any discussion of any subject pertaining to this, our cemetery work, but what there has been something in it that will at sometime be useful to us. Of course there is no one who could write on any subject connected with this work that would apply to all cemeteries, because, what would do well in, Ohio (I am speaking more particularly of planting) would not do at all South. North, East or West, by reason of the difference in climate in soil and for various other reasons. Yet, I maintain that even a paper of this kind would be a help to some, if not to all of us. There is another great help to me and that is the published reports of the different meetings as they come to us later. Often in trying to think out a problem, for instance, when we planted the clumps spoken of, I could not determine just what I wanted or needed or how I wanted it, so I take the reports, look through and find what this man or that one says on the subject. I look at the report of the visits made to the different cemeteries and I am able to see in the main pretty clearly what I saw with the eye, so that I am able to consider the kind of a place I want to fill and compare it with the kind of place I saw this or that then remembering or reading what the different men have said about the advisability of this or that kind of a tree or shrub, for the kind of place we have to fill, and we can arrive at a conclusion very soon. When we have determined what we want, then carry out our ideas and I think we will generally find we have done the right thing. We allow our lot owners and citizens all the privileges that we can consistent with good management and order. Our gates are open from 6 o'clock in the morning until late in the evening, and the people come and go at will. We encourage the planting of flowers by our lot owners and only restrict them to kind of plants to be used and where to plant them. We furnish water and pots to carry it from the different hydrants on the yard, allow them to do their own planting and to care for their plants if they wish. We find there are very few who do not give their flowers sufficient care to keep them in bloom or bright foliage all through the season. This plan we find works well with us and gives our friends an interest in the cemetery that they would not otherwise have, in fact makes them co-workers with us. Notwithstanding the rule that almost all cemeteries have and we have as well, prohibiting tin cans, broken crockery, etc., we, for a short time before and until the faded and withered flowers are removed from graves and lots after Memorial day, permit almost anything. There are among us a number who are unable to procure hot-house flowers or handsome vases to put them in, yet they have just as fine feelings, sympathies just as keen, as their more fortunate brothers and sisters. If we bar them because of their inability to provide the more costly flowers and receptacles, we have blunted or destroyed that finer feeling and made them feel that they have no part in the one day in the 365 that is made sacred by the memories that are called up. This day with us is observed by all, and on that day you could scarcely find a grave that hat; not been remembered and you can see flowers on every hand, in fact nothing but flowers; the grass, shrubbery and trees, the broken dishes and cans are covered by the blossoms that hang down and over them. We think we have done ourselves no harm and have done those people a kindness they will remember.  Our experience is that it takes no more time to pick up the can or dish with the flowers in them and cart them away than it does to pick the faded flowers from the more costly vase.

This, ladies and gentlemen, is in part my experience as a Cemetery Superintendent and some of the things I have learned by attending the meetings of the AACS.

From the publication:
AACS - Proceedings of the 17th Annual Convention
Held at Rochester, NY
September 8, 9 and 10, 1903

Not wishing to disappoint the program committee, I will, therefore, submit my thoughts to you in the form of a paper to be read by one who I am sure can visualize the picture I wish to portray, I confess the subject is rather unique. It differs from the subject matter submitted in papers written to enlighten us on the problems that come to all of us in our daily routine of every day life, no matter what our environments may be. But when we take a retrospective glance at our past experiences as cemetery men, in our daily endeavor for betterment, we can only admit that the subject conveys and expresses the sentiment that covers the field in which we labor.

I feel that I am deeply indebted to Mr. Conwell for the words, "Acres of Diamonds," that was the subject of one of his masterful lectures some years ago. I was deeply impressed by the way and manner in which he applied them to the lives of men in the field of human endeavor, and by his permission I want to use them in a manner that may lead our thoughts to the "Acres" that have been given into our care, where God's "Diamonds" have been laid away for a time into mother-earth to remain there until the day dawns, when they shall surely shine again.

In our most thoughtful mood we bring back to memory our early experiences, our trials and difficulties, the solving of problems that were counted as rights sacred by our forefathers from time immemorial. The changing from the old to the new, in order to keep pace with modern ideas advanced by men having visions of higher and nobler ideas that in due time would revolutionize the old order of things and be the means of adding grace and dignity to that part of the earth's surface where the human family sleep, into a beautiful garden, has been your task and mine. What we have accomplished will be an exhibition to a marked degree to what extent we may have dedicated our lives to our work. Future generations, I am sure, will applaud our efforts if they are in line with the standards adopted by this organization to follow nature in her planning and designing, as far as lies in our power, so that our work when completed will be a field of "Acres" exhibiting art out-of-door.

In view of the marked changes would it be strange if men should marvel at what has been accomplished in the past four decades or since the birth of this organization, when a small body of men in convention assembled saw the dawn of a new era and banded themselves into an organization for a purpose, because of having coordinate views in the affairs of cemetery management, as well as development that must in due time lead to cooperation and betterment in cemeteries that are the "Acres of Diamonds" scattered, not only over the North American continent; but over the whole world. In the struggle for the higher ideals let us not forget the moments of sunshine as well as the moments of shadows, for they are a part of the every day life of those, whose souls are quickened by the inspiration gleaned from lessons in nature, for nature is the school of our environment in which we live. In it we listen with delight to the song of the birds and are charmed; by the whispering voices that come to us from the sighing breezes that kiss the flowers as well as the trees.

Perhaps it was the chairman's wish that I relate some of my personal experiences during almost forty years of continuous life in cemetery work, some of it being spent in the development of parks, playgrounds and civic improvements, that he wished me to, write an "Letting the Sunshine into a place of Shadows." In the early days of my experiences I found myself pondering over the individual tastes of the bereaved in expressing sincere grief and sorrow for those dear to them and lost for a while, and the method employed, what they believed to be their sacred duty to perform, some outward expression in memory, be it in the erecting of monument, the building up of a huge terrace about their lot, enclosing them with hedges, coping, iron or wooden fences where permissible, the lavish use of weeping trees, especially the use of the willow, anything that would in any way give expression to their bereavement and sadness. All this was interesting to me because the scene when finished portrayed a picture of shadows where even the flowers in their dismal environment failed to bloom for the want of a ray of sunshine. To brighten these places and let the sunshine in was the problem for me to solve, and is the problem that must be solved by everyone into whose hands are given supervision and care of the "Diamonds" laid away for a time in God's Acres. To me it soon became a pleasure for I found that by personal contact and intelligent reasoning, the rays of sunshine penetrated deeper and deeper into the heart of the men and women open to conviction who observed with keen interest the results obtained in the changing from the old to the new order of things in the development of the new additions on modern lines. For in the progress of developments they for themselves, could, in the final analysis, visualize a beautiful garden, where the somber doleful, uninviting scenes would finally pass into oblivion.

In my daily efforts in reconstruction, to bring harmony between past misguided efforts and natures own plan—for if we are at all successful in our endeavors we, must follow nature and learn to imitate her in many ways—guided by such influences the task before me became work most agreeable, for I found quite a steady response of cooperation on the part of those with whom it was my privilege to often meet and discuss the early ways and methods of their ancestors, to which they had fallen heir, in the performance of what they believed to be their duty to build something in some way contrary to nature that would be outstanding and in its appearance differ from that executed in memory by their neighbor. In many instances I found it only necessary to explain certain reasons for contemplated changes to gain their hearty approval and confidence and when the picture of the garden scene, I had in language tried to portray, became a reality, their happiness revealed itself in an atmosphere of sunshine.

May I at this time say a word of encouragement, as well as advice, to those young in this great organization who have entered the field of cemetery management in neglected Acres where reconstruction is the key to advancement on modern lines in landscape planning as we see it today. It is well to give an exhibition of your ability to prove your worth in being able to master the problems. By all means court the confidence of your people or your daily efforts for betterment may be full of shadows and your ideals go on the rocks.  Diplomacy is one of the prerequisites of an efficient superintendent. He who can sympathize and bring sunshine to those who come in sorrow from homes where shadows have fallen will surely gain the favor and respect of the bereaved. He will play a leading part in community betterment and will ever be upheld in his efforts when making more beautiful the "Acres of Diamonds" in which he labors.

Perhaps the thoughts and sentiments that I wish to leave with you in this convention can better be expressed in the following lines:

God's Acre is planted with diamonds
Whose luster the world could not see
Till death had polished the treasure
To a beauty that ever shall be.

In soft holy silence they rest there,
Safe guarded in crypt or in green
And like a rare gem in its setting,
They glow with a heavenly sheen.

Under full gleam of the sunshine
Under soft veil of the shade,
These delicate diamonds now resting,
Will never lose luster, nor fade.

The years that sweep over the acres,
The memories deep as the heart,
Shall increase the worth or the diamonds;
From whom we have seemed to part.

But they're ours and God's for the ages
They are treasures that love cannot lose,
They are kept for the crown of adorning,
When he His crown jewels shall choose.

Do we tread the soft acres in sorrow?
Do our tears bathe the flowers and grass,
As hidden from view these fair diamonds
Regard not our grief as we pass?

Be comforted heart that is lonely,
Be grateful that treasures are there,
You will walk across "Acres of Diamonds"
Whose worth is beyond all compare.

Thank God for the beautiful setting,
He gives to His jewels and gems,
For the diamonds are placed for His purpose,
And never a stone He condemns.

From the publication:
AACS - Proceedings of the 41st Annual Convention
Cleveland, OH
August 22, 23, 24 and 25, 1927

There are many plans to be considered whereby the growth and welfare of the Association of American Cemetery Superintendents might be adopted. I make mention of several plans as they impress my mind:

First. Let each member of our Association use his influence so far as possible to prevail upon some cemetery superintendent in his locality to attend our annual conventions, and thus become acquainted with our methods of working and see that the general information to be obtained, would be of great value to them in their fields of labor.

Second. That there be a more friendly interest shown to our members who have in charge small cemeteries, as they are of the class who need encouragement from those who are more fortunate in caring for large and prominent cemeteries, and in which position they are well remunerated. Such are looked up to and a few kindly words to them from our older members would tend to encourage them to renewed exertions to improve and beautify their ground. Nothing yields the writer greater pleasure than to meet our brother co-workers at our meetings with a cordial greeting, ready to give any information so far as his knowledge extends in the way of cemetery work and improvements.

Third. Good results could be obtained were there more correspondence made between superintendents and it is greatly to be deplored how little of this has ever been carried out and is still going on. We are well aware that the average cemetery superintendent is a very busy man, and in consequence has not much time to spare in the way of correspondence, yet there are not many who would be unable to send out a few letters each year.

Fourth. We make mention of the inability of some of our members who are deprived from attending our conventions, in that their meager salaries forbids them using the needed amount of money requisite to defray their expenses. These cases apply more particularly to cemeteries owned and conducted by municipal authorities, and whilst some of them are conducted in a first class manner, the great majority of them are far removed from what they should be. Some of our most valued members represent cemeteries of this class. We have formerly written to such parties and in several cases they have sent their superintendents to attend our convention. I have two of these cases in my memory. Whilst I am not prepared to make any suggestions, yet I think this subject should be considered at the meetings of this annual convention.

Finally. A strong factor for our growth and influence lies in the coming up manfully to the support of our official paper, the PARK AND CEMETERY, not only by subscribing for said paper, but also by sending in our contributions for the publishing of information appertaining to cemetery work.

To our minds herein lies the vital influence needed to accelerate our growth and future strength. We welcome the PARK AND CEMETERY as it reaches us monthly, and whilst the general information is varied and instructive, yet we read with special pleasure any information given by our well known members treating of work under way, and improvements to be earned out in their respective fields of labor. This not only brings them afresh to our memory, but gives us new ideas and seems to strengthen the bonds of union with our fellow co-laborers.
 

From the publication:
AACS - Proceedings of the 9th Annual Convention
Richmond, VA
September 18, 19 and 20, 1895

The Committee on program has asked me to discuss the management of a modern cemetery, but if I confine myself to telling how we manage Lakewood, in Minneapolis, I feel that I will be better able to offer something which will be worthy of the attention of the members of the National Association. If, while talking about Lakewood, I am able to make suggestions that will be useful to gentlemen who are interested in the management of modern cemeteries the purpose of this paper will be fulfilled.

Lakewood is conducted on what is known as the mutual plan, and every lot owner is entitled to a vote at the annual election of trustees. All lots are sold with a provision for perpetual care, one-fifth of the receipts from these sales being placed in the hands of a trust company for that purpose. It seems to me, however, that the proper way to create this fund is to estimate the amount per foot which will be required at interest to maintain the grounds, and set it aside for each foot of ground sold, instead of figuring a percentage of sales, as is the rule at Lakewood.

The management is vested in nine trustees, three of whom are elected annually. An executive committee of three is appointed by the president to manage the finances, arid have general supervision of ail cemetery work. This committee has all the power of a full board and our expenditures must be approved by at least one member of it.

The superintendent has a monthly report blank which contains a statement of receipts and expenditures for the month, and for the year-to-date, a copy of the trial balance for the past month, and a recapitulation or balance for the year-to-date. All accounts of money transactions are kept in the city office, together with a set of plats, records of deeds, and lot and interment records. At the cemetery is kept a daily interment record, giving name, age, social state, nativity, place and date of death, place and date of burial and name of undertakers officiating, also, duplicate sets of plats and interment and lot owner's records. Our books show in itemized form all sources of income and expense, and we are able at any time, by referring to them, to know what departments yield a profit. We also itemize our maintenance account daily, keeping an accurate record of the time on each kind of work.

Our sources of income are eight in number, and they may be named in this order: Sale of lots, burial fees, single grave fees, special care of flowers, building foundations, setting monuments, vault charges and box making.

Of course, the lot sales are the principal source of income. Prices range from fifty cents to one dollar and fifty cents per square foot, according to location, the average price as per sales for the past two years being about seventy cents. In prosperous times, it should be said however, this average would be much higher.

In a cemetery conducted on the mutual plan, as is Lakewood, the price need be set only high enough to pay running expenses, erect and maintain proper buildings and secure the amount per foot that is necessary to guarantee perpetual care. The prices in some cemeteries are greater than with us, but the prices of preparing the ground originally is also greater. Before offering any part of a section for sale we grade and plat the entire section, put in heavy cast iron corner stones for each lot, and make the price cover the whole. I have heard of cemeteries where there was a special charge for grading and another charge for posts; and, indeed, until a few years ago that was the practice at Lakewood. I think that the plan we are now pursuing is decidedly the better.

The superintendent at Lakewood has a small index book, which he carries in his pocket, and which contains, in order, a statement of every lot sold and unsold in the cemetery, an alphabetical index of lot owners, and considerable other information of value. This book is used in the sale of lots, and we find it much more convenient than carrying plats around with us. When a person decides to buy a lot we issue him a sale ticket giving date, number of lot, price, etc. This ticket is taken to the city office, where the contracts are signed and the cash handled. When I assumed control of Lakewood it was the rule to make no burials until lots had been fully paid for, but I was not long in seeing that such a rule was keeping away many deserving people who otherwise would have been our patrons. Accordingly I induced the trustees to try the contract system, and I am sure that it has been a success. Our usual terms are one-third down, and the balance divided into monthly or quarterly payments which draw six percent interest. Such a plan makes it easy for a man in moderate circumstances to buy a desirable lot. We have a printed form which this class of purchasers sign. Under it we are empowered, in case payments are not made promptly, to remove all monumental work and any bodies which may be buried in the lots, to lots equaling in value the money that has been paid, after deducting the removal expenses.

Our charges for burial and this includes opening, closing and sodding graves, and re-sodding when the dirt settles, are four dollars for persons under twelve years of age, and five dollars for persons twelve years or over. This is probably as cheap as the work can be done without loss, although I have in mind cemeteries where the charges are less. Whether their services are the same as ours or not I cannot say.

In winter all bodies are deposited in the receiving tomb, and for this no charge is made, unless they are removed for burial to other cemeteries, or remain in the vault after June 1st. from which date a charge is made of two dollars per month per body. At the time of deposit in the tomb we make a charge to lot owners of the price of burial, which pays for the burial in the spring. To persons who are not lot owners we make a charge of the price of a single grave, which amount is credited in the spring, if a lot is purchased, or pays for a single grave. If a body is removed from our grounds for burial the full amount of the deposit is retained.

During the summer months few bodies are placed in the receiving tomb, and those few we require to be sealed in zinc-lined boxes, as is the rule with contagious diseases.

For single graves we charge up to twelve years of age, twelve dollars; twelve years of age and over, fifteen dollars. This includes opening closing and sodding the grave; and in case a lot is purchased, the amount less the burial fee is credited. We allow no individual mounds in the single grave section, but instead make the burials in a long tier, the width being the length of two graves foot to foot, with a four foot walk at the head depressed four inches. Our single grave section receives the same care in every way that is given the other parts of the grounds.

For special care of flowers, watering, etc., we charge $1.50 for each grave or vase for the season. This item is a source of some profit to the association, and of course the more flowers that are under care the better the grounds look.  Planting is not allowed on individual lots, except on graves and in vases.

All foundations and other underground work are done by the association.  Charges for foundations are: twenty cubic feet, or less, thirty-five cents per foot; over twenty cubic feet thirty cents. We require foundations to be laid under all work larger than 6 x 12 inches. That the association should do all work of this sort I consider quite important, for contractors will not do it properly, unless an inspector is constantly with them. In this connection I will speak of the setting of monuments, for the association does the entire monument setting in Lakewood, except in small cases. This requires one good man, accustomed to handling ropes and to directing men, but the other help can be common labor. By setting our monuments we are saved a great deal of annoyance, and realize a profit besides. Contractors allowed in cemeteries to do such work are chronic borrowers. They want ropes, blocks, planks, bars and numerous other things, in a great many cases forgetting to return them. The result is that when you need them a grand hunt is in order.  Contractors also seem to take a delight in hitching guy ropes to trees and in many ways they are great nuisances in a well regulated cemetery.

Nearly all of the pine boxes used in Lakewood is furnished by the association. As many of our funerals are arranged by telephone, this is a great convenience to us and to the undertaker. It saves the latter a trip from the city with a box while we can take the box direct to the grave and put men to work, knowing that we have the proper dimensions. Our box account last year paid for nearly all the lumber that was used at the cemetery, and had a credit of about two hundred dollars besides. We buy the sides and ends sawed to size and saw the tops and bottoms on the grounds. "Rainy day work" is what we call box making, for whenever it rains hard enough to interfere with the regular routine, the teamsters and other employees who are paid by the month, turn in to make boxes.

There are minor sources of income, not mentioned in this paper, but it is scarcely worth while taking up your time to name them.

The common laborers in the grounds are directly under a foreman who looks to the superintendent for instructions. He hires and discharges his own men, and I think this is the best plan, for when men know that a foreman has absolute authority over them their respect for him will increase and the character of their work will improve. The mechanics, watchmen and other assistants are hired by the superintendent, who looks after them in person. All work is itemized daily, so that at any time we can know exactly what any piece of work is costing us.

We have no special set of men for grave digging, or mowing, but accustom the employees to all kinds of labor, in this way being prepared for any emergency.

The hours for keeping the grounds open are 7:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. during the summer months; late in the fall and during the winter the gates are closed at 5:30 or 6 o'clock in the evening.

As is the case in many cemeteries, we have as yet been unable to bring about all of the reforms suggested by the association members. But we are slowly working toward improved conditions and hope to do better in the future. I think that you will find that where a large city cemetery is behind the times, it is more frequently the fault of the lot owners, than of the cemetery management, for every important reform is contested inch by inch.

It is quite possible that in this somewhat hurried account of how business is done at Lakewood I have told little that is new. The principal good coming from these annual meetings is the exchange of ideas that they encourage; each member being invited to bring the best that he has, and exhibit it for the benefit of his neighbor, to the end that the neighbor, if he sees fit may profit by it or offer suggestions that may be a source of profit to others. It is in this spirit that I came before you today, hoping, that if I am not able to be of any special service to you in what I have said you may be of service to me in the discussions that are to follow.

From the publication:
AACS - Proceedings of the 8th Annual Convention
Philadelphia, PA
September 11, 12 and 13, 1894

When a person assumes control of a cemetery as a Superintendent a new business opens out before him, being very different from all others. Then and there his influence begins and I think we can and should shape it for good. And then, if we study to please, to help and to sympathize, our counsel and advice will always be in demand. We are also expected to be well learned in our work and it is our duty to prepare ourselves, as best we can, by reading and studying everything devoted to our calling. If we, ourselves, do not strive to learn from others, who have been successful, we must and undoubtedly will fail.

One of our members, in a former subject, used this sentence, and I think a very good one: "There is no business that calls out more and better qualities than a cemetery Superintendent." The many persons of varied dispositions and minds, very often of the same family, the same kinds of work, the many ways of doing it, making a complication of thoughts and ideas, that a man must keep himself well educated, well read on every subject pertaining to his profession, and have complete control of all his faculties, and keep pace with all the subjects that may come up before him.

There is no place where the peculiarities of people are shown more than here, and a Superintendent is expected to please all who come to visit, and especially the owners of lots. Sympathy is a grand word, and it should be with us always. Without it you cannot be successful in your calling. Kindness should be to all, and under all circumstances, no thought of self, but all for others. Many may think that we would get used to our work and our feelings become hardened, but with me it is always sad, always someone's friend.

To be prepared for all this we must store our minds with all the knowledge on these subjects that we can, and I find that our own monthly, THE MODERN CEMETERY, is a great help, and I hope none will be without it.

And if we expect to make ourselves useful to the managers and all the lot owners, and have the good will and confidence of all who visit the grounds, we should have our burials in a quiet manner, with no hurry or noise, having everything as nice as possible. This is the time when people need all the sympathy we can extend to them, in these the saddest bereavements of their lives.

In making up the mounds and all work of that kind I think we can all have our own way, and if we explain which way we think best, we all like the low mound all sodded and green. This we know is the best. They do not dry out like the high ones, and even if plants are wanted you can have a place in the sad for them. As to shade trees, you cannot have a nice green sod under a tree. It is only a loafing place for those you do not want. Chairs and settees are as much out of place as they are but a resting place for idlers and others who have no business there.

Then comes the question of monuments and headstones. You are expected to know all about the best kinds of granite and marble, what kind of lettering you like best and who are the most reliable persons to deal with. And I think we should be well posted on this subject, as well as many others which touch our work, for it is one of the many ways of beautifying our cemeteries. We should not have too much sameness and always have good work. All the work in the grounds should be well done and a good, faithful and industrious Superintendent will always have the confidence and best wishes of all his people the same as is enjoyed by a good minister.

From the publication:
AACS - Proceedings of the 6th Annual Convention
Baltimore, MD
September 27, 28 and 29, 1892

If one could cover the best characteristics in human nature in one word, I presume that word would be GRACIOUSNESS. Shakespeare said: "The King-becoming graces are justice, verity, temperance, stableness, bounty, perseverance, mercy, lowliness, devotion, patience, courage and fortitude" and if we possess these qualities to some degree we shall possess the fundamental requirements for the work in which we are engaged. I want to lay stress here on the fact that in this more than in any other line of work a Superintendent of a Cemetery must possess to a noticeable degree these best elements in human nature.

Graciousness implies broad sympathy and understanding and who other than a Cemetery Superintendent comes mo re often in contact with people when these characteristics are needed. Some one has said, "Graciousness is the outward manifestation of a fine soul. Like the sun it shed its light every day of the year."

I am inclined to believe that the title of a paper such as mine tends to make one theorize on what should be rather than things and human beings as they actually are and for this reason in order to make a practical talk I shall try to discuss some actual happenings that reflect the Superintendent in his daily work. A real interest in one's work is one of the big factors and the two essential fields of human endeavor in which the Superintendent should be efficient are engineering and business. Two or three weeks ago I talked with a very efficient Superintendent who expressed the opinion that a man in charge of a Cemetery should be of a decidedly mechanical turn of mind. My experience of seventeen years cemetery work reinforces his opinion.

The analysis of what constitutes a good Cemetery equipment will I think bear this out. For instance in my own case, the property of the Corporation contains the following: Office and chapel, a crematory; a side track; a pumping station, water-mains and all the necessary hydrants, fountains, etc.; four trucks, two automobiles, 8 or 9 steam and hot water boilers, 8 or 10 electric motors, 5 to 7 gasoline engines; steam roller and spraying outfits; equipment for building roads; equipment for setting all stone work including mausoleums, and it naturally follows with this building and plant that a knowledge of construction is decidedly necessary to the plant maintenance.

I feel quite positive that everyone here agrees that knowledge of civil engineering in its broadest sense should be a requirement of one in charge of cemetery work. The building of roads, changing the contour of land, laying water pipe and drains, concrete work in various forms, comprises the every day work in modern cemeteries. The civil engineer is the forerunner of civilization. He is also the one who hest can lay the foundation for the construction of a cemetery as we like to see it today.

Agriculture and horticulture should form a large part of a Superintendent's knowledge, in such a manner that proper landscape work can be executed and the ultimate effects of young planting be foreseen years ahead. One of the early problems I remember that I had to solve was the elimination of the scale from our many, bay trees and half hardy stock. It was an entirely new field of study for me at that time but fortunately having had some study in chemistry, it helped me accomplish this work. It was done in such a satisfactory manner that its results have lasted for fifteen years or more.

A good business man has always seemed to me to be symbolic of self-reliance. The importance of self-reliance needs little more than mere mention. If a man is afraid to trust his own conclusions and convictions, all his thinking is of no avail and a timid business man is doomed. There are fundamental laws governing business and an attempt on our part to acquire knowledge relating to these is of decided advantage to the corporation for whom we are working. In this as in all fields of human endeavor, thinking is the essential thing. The ability to think is not acquired without effort and unfortunately many shrink from making the effort. In the words of Joseph Johnson, "Thinking is hard work; it is much easier to saw wood."

There have been papers read at these meetings in regard to advertising and salesmanship. In New England particularly, advertising of cemeteries has no place at present but a characteristic desirable in any executive is salesmanship. For instance at Mount Auburn there are at present 297 fences; there are probably twice that number of curbing. For our part we have got to work hard to make these lot owners get our point of view as regards the removal of all enclosures and the best salesmanship is that which makes the other man get your point of view.

Tact is a characteristic certainly valuable in our particular line of work. Tact is defined as "ready power of appreciating and doing what is required by circumstances." Many unusual circumstances occur in the Cemetery man's work where all the tact that he can master is necessary to relieve the situation. I often recall the experience of J. W. Lovering who preceded Mr. Scorgie. A lady insisted on placing a mausoleum on her lot which measured 20' x 20'. Her lot measured 15' x 20'. When Mr. Lovering called the facts of the situation to her attention, her answer was, "I am alone with my dead, there is no one to help me." It was not very long after this instance that Mr. Lovering met with an accident that later caused his death. This was interpreted by the lady as an act of God because the Superintendent would not allow her to place the mausoleum she desired on her lot. There are in all lines of work people who at times apparently lose sight of reason and in the ordinary business a sharp shock or answer may straighten out the matter. It is quite often that unreasonable demands are made upon us and it is at such times, that the Superintendent can be valuable to his organization.

I have often been asked as undoubtedly many of you have as to why we selected this particular line of work. In fact the question was asked me last Friday when I was arranging about some planting on a lot. One sentence answers for me. I find the work decidedly interesting and there is no end of study that one can do to really become proficient in it. I recall the first interview I had with Mr. Prentiss Cummings late President of Mount Auburn Cemetery when I was candidate for the position of Assistant Superintendent. He said he knew of few lines of work which required so much knowledge in the various fields of human activity as that of a cemetery superintendent and I feel sure that you will go a long way among clubs and associations to find in any association men of higher talent or ideal; than such men as James Currie, James C. Scorgie, Edgar King, W. S. Pirie, W. F. Landes, Arthur N. Hobart and many more that I could mention. It is a worthy and honorable work in which we are engaged and decidedly essential to our modern life. Practical work and sentiment enter largely into everyday operations and this reminds me of an appropriate summing up of the primary use of a cemetery made by a friend and lot owner at Mount Auburn. He said "The utilitarian aspect of the interment of human remains is concerned only with an excavation in the earth of sufficient size and depth. All other considerations are matters of sentiment. Respect for the departed, the wish to perpetuate their names in the minds of the living, the desire that the final resting place may be attractively embellished with artistic memorials and be maintained in orderly neatness, are all matters of sentiment. But what would human life be without sentiment? Without question, below that of the beasts. If one acquires a fine lot in a well kept cemetery and derives satisfaction there from, no excuses need be framed, for his act and feelings spring from some of the best elements in human nature. He who honors not the dead is likely to neglect his duty to the living.

The progress of institutions and men is inevitably dependent on ideals and desires for something larger, and better. As the principal motive force in the improvement of the cemetery, the Superintendent should never be satisfied with existing conditions. I always like to have before me the inspiring words of Bishop Brooks "Sad is the day for any man when he becomes absolutely satisfied with the life he is living, the thoughts that he is thinking and the deeds that he is doing, when there ceases to be forever beating at the door of his soul a desire to do something larger which he feels and knows he was meant and intended to do."

From the publication:
AACS - Proceedings of the 38th Annual Convention
Portland, Maine
August 18, 19, 20 and 21, 1924

It would be impossible to treat the whole subject of Cemetery Memorials in an article such as this, because of the many angles from which the subject might be viewed.

A very large number of articles might be written on this subject and each differs widely from the other, the particular theme depending upon the special influence which directed the thought of the author.

To some, certain types of monuments and their setting might have a peculiar interest, and we are sure that much, might be said which would lead to improved conditions in both these particulars.

The sculptor or designer would treat this subject from the viewpoint of the artist as he sees special types of art worked out in each Memorial. His thoughts would dwell upon design and the exactness of line and proportion. His opinion of the Cemetery Beautiful would be governed not so much by the proper distribution of well designed monuments as by the number of such and his opinion might be but little effected by the hundreds of stones which are sandwiched in between and in which, if art were to be found, a flexible imagination would needs be called into play.

This subject might also be considered from the standpoint of the person who purchases the Memorial to be placed upon his lot and it would often times be interesting to know something of the inf1uences which governed his selection and how much or how little of his own thought and character or that of his deceased loved ones are embodied in his Monument.

The Historian has written volumes describing the great outstanding monuments of the world and throughout all time the civilizations of Nations has been recorded through the character of these structures.

The great battle fields of the world are dotted with monuments which mark the spot where brave men fell and this Nation and all other Nations have erected magnificent tombs in honor of their fallen leaders.

The erection of Monuments has not been confined to any period of time, or to any race of people, for the enduring qualities of stones seem always to have been a symbol of eternity.

Reference to Memorials might therefore, bring to the mind's of people generally, widely different lines of thought, but to the Cemetery Superintendent his first thought is of the Cemetery Memorial, its uses and abuses.

It will be the purpose of the writer, then, to consider this subject from the viewpoint of the Cemetery Superintendent, whose vocation brings him in daily contact with Memorials of every description and because of the prominent place which the Memorial has in the Cemetery, he has given much of his time to a study’s of this feature of embellishment in all of its various phases.

Be it said, however, the superintendent does not pose as an Art critic. He has not devoted largely of his time to a study of the Classics. He may be little interested in the particular type of Art displayed in the numerous Monuments which are brought into the Cemetery. His has been a study of harmony in combinations, his eye has been trained in perspectives and he foresees the effect of scenic groupings. He sees the stone work in the cemetery as a conglomerate whole. It is the finished picture of monument and landscape combined which interests him as he plans to preserve some stretches of beautiful lawn from being disfigured by an undue and non-picturesque congestion of monuments and markers.

The question which we must solve is: How can he prevent this undue congestion and thus preserve distinct traces of his original plan?

His mind reverts to attempts made to this end and which resulted in only partial success.

He compares the older sections of his Cemetery with those of more modern development. His mind turns to Cemeteries in which management has been lacking and in which every lot owner has been a free agent. He likens conditions which are here found with those of his idea and an ideal lawn plan Cemetery, the product of trained minds and guiding hands and in which restrictions have been wisely and carefully enforced.

In his mental picture are wooded hillsides with here and there, amid low plantings of shrubbery, or partially hidden by branches of trees, a few well designed Memorials which tell some story of achievement and which have in them a something which will cause the passerby to pause and study and admire.

Rows and groups of monuments on every side are passed by daily, the character of which is so lacking as not to attract even the slightest attention.

Many exceptions, however, are to be found in all our Cemeteries.  The writer pauses often before a roughly hewn boulder, under the shadow of massive oaks, isolated from other monuments, and there reads from a bronze tablet the names of twenty-three men, buried with the County, who fought far America's Independence in the War of the Revolution.

In the Cemetery at Marion, where reposes the body of our beloved Mr. Harding, and where to whose memory a splendid memorial is soon to be erected, stands a Memorial chapel and upon its interior walls are inscribed the names of all the volunteers from Marian County who were engaged in the struggle of 1861 to 1865.

On the banks of a mirrored lake in Woodland Cemetery, Dayton and under the branches of a great tree, stands a boulder paced there by admiring friends, and dedicated to the memory of one who rose above others of his race and color, and on the bronze tablet which bears testimony to the achievements of Paul Lawrence Dunbar in a fitting stanza from one of his poems; "Let me sleep beneath the Willows."

On the brow of a hill in Woodlawn Cemetery, Toledo and overlooking a winding stream, as was the wish of the man who lies buried there, stands a three sided pyramid each dimension of which is thirty feet. This pyramid is constructed or thousands of boulders of various sizes, each stone contributed by a News bay or a News boy's sister, out of love for John Gunckel, the Father of the News boy movement of America.  A man who resigned a good business position, that he might devote his life to the uplift of the boys of the street, not only in his own city, but in all big cities, having found in the "urchin" possibilities or splendid manhood.

Each Cemetery has its Memorials which tell a story of special interest also many others which tell or achievement and which fill a well defined mission, and still others which are well designed and fit well in to the general plan, serving every purpose of a true Memorial.

But, in contrast with these are thousands which have no special mark of interest and which bear only a family name, whatever it may be; Smith or Jones, or, Brown, or White, or Green, and the Superintendent must needs be a well of information to the inquisitive, identify the particular branch of one or another of these numerous families to which the stone has been intended as a Memorial.

The answer to the question of better monuments, and a better distribution or monuments seems to depend upon three important factors; closer cooperation between dealer and Cemetery Superintendent; more general education along the lines of better Memorials and their effective settings; and certain justifiable restrictions an the part of Cemetery officials.

It is not boastful to say that many or the reforms which have been accomplished in monumental work are due to the activities of Cemetery boards, and we need to go back but a few years to find evidences in proof of this statement.

The old time slab, often several feet in height, considered necessary as the marking for each grave, might still have been the marker in common use had not the Cemetery decreed that it was not the marker best suited for the purpose, and adopted a new limit of height of eighteen inches or two feet.

This change to a marker of less height failed in accomplishing desired results, for while it corrected one, evil it gave birth to another.

Many novelties were introduced such as the polished roll, often of highly colored granite and frailly supported in brackets, the scroll, the polished sphere, section of a log, gates ajar, the harp and lyre, and other numerous designs, often two or more, vastly different, placed upon the same lot, and in single grave and small lot sections all of these designs were to be seen in promiscuous array.

Copings, fences, or chains formed the boundaries of lots, and corner stones extended several inches above the sod line, one or the other of these forms being deemed essential to the proper marking of the lot.

Many protests may have been made when these old forms were eliminated. Lot owner and dealer may have considered the order drastic, but who of them now would return to old form of markings?

As these reforms have been accomplished, so are other reforms being brought about through the efforts of men who devote their time to the study of those things which are essential to the beauty and quiet repose of our Cemeteries, and who are convinced that they owe more to posterity than they do to any whims of the present.

Lot owners would profit if the management were consulted, or advice sought of persons known to possess correct taste, before the Memorial is purchased. A design which may be attractive in itself may not harmonize with the surroundings of the lot upon which it is to be placed, or a monotonous similarity of design may result unless conditions surrounding the lot are first carefully studied.

Too often are monuments placed on lots where, because of an already crowded condition, markers would be in much better taste. And in the selection of a Memorial the purchaser may be influenced by some sentiment which the design portrays, and no thought given to the fact that the monument remains indefinitely even though the sentiments change. He may have the Memorial cheapened in material or workmanship in order that the cost may be kept within the amount which he has decided to appropriate. Perhaps another dealer will furnish a larger stone at no additional cost or he may be attracted by a stone of some unusual color and no thought given to general effect.

To prevent the introduction of this condition, and thus maintain that harmony which is so important, it is necessary that designs of all monuments and a description or sample of material to be used should first be submitted to the Superintendent or Trustees for approval, and the location of the monument on the lot should be determined by them, for in these matters, if harmony is to prevail, the ideas and wishes of the individual must be subservient to the best interests of the Cemetery as a whole, and the Memorial which he selects should be in keeping with this thought.

It is also important that we who have so much to do in determining the ultimate appearance of the Cemetery should give constant study to this theme of harmony in design and pleasing arrangement so that in the end the stone work will not be the dominant feature of the Cemetery but a well balanced part of the entire scheme.

In laying out the lots much may be done toward avoiding the congestion of monuments by varying the size and shape, or platting in among monument lots a number upon which marker’s only shall be used. There are families in every vicinity who have no desire for a Memorial other than markers on their lot, but who desire that lot in the very best location.

Monuments should also be restricted in size to a comparative size of the lot, and this restriction should be borne in mind when determining the sizes in which the lots shall be platted. The area of the monument base, in some instances is restricted to a percent of the area of the lot, and its nearest approach to any adjoining lot is determined.

Long straight lines of monuments or markers will be avoided if lots are not laid out in straight lines or of equal size. The importance of this is seen in lots which are in close proximity with the drive ways. And on such lots it is well to have sufficient depth so that the monument may be placed near the rear leaving space for graves and planting area in front.

In some instances no-monument lots might border the driveways, the plan varying with locality and a consequent difference in the size of lots required, but in any event it is well to have the monuments a sufficient distance from the driveway that they may be partially screened with plantings.

Planting areas, which may some time be used for Memorial plantings, should be left on all, sections, and this can be done at no great sacrifice of salable ground.

Whenever a new section is platted the total area could be calculated and the area which is set aside for planting could be calculated in the price of lots, thus each purchaser of a lot is contributing his just proportion in payment for these ornamental spaces from which he receives his share of benefit.

In this cause of prevention of congested conditions why should we not use our splendid opportunity in setting a worthy example?

The consideration of the marker, though left until now, is as worthy our attention as is that of the monument.

One of the prime requisites of any Memorial is its durability. It is placed for a distinct and peculiar purpose, and is expected to endure, unchanged, throughout the life of the Cemetery.

It is essential then, that the material used, also the construction stand for the greatest tests of endurance, and the possibility of deterioration or injury through accident be at a minimum.

The marker answering nearest this standard, and which has been adopted in many localities is the solid block, or one piece marker, set firmly upon a concrete foundation.

For the same reasons which govern the size and location of monuments, that a crowded condition might be avoided, there is a growing tendency to lessen the size of markers and to limit the height to a few inches at most.

Local conditions might determine the most suitable maximum height, ranging from the sad level marker to those which do not exceed three or four inches at the highest point.

This low marker, with edges slightly rounded or beveled, thus eliminating all sharp corners, and with incised inscription cleanly cut commends itself for many reasons; it is neat in appearance, does not stand out boldly in the landscape, has all the elements of durability, and in these times of increasing scarcity of labor less expense is incurred because it is less in the way.

In this study of Cemetery Memorials from the view point of the Cemetery Superintendent we would not be so biased in opinion as to exclude from the exercise of their proper rights any owner of a lot, or any dealer in Memorials whose chief interest is in the character of his work and its rightful place in the Cemetery.

We do now know that too many meaningless monuments have been crowded into our Cemeteries, many of which show carelessness in design and lack of skill in the workmanship.

We welcome the deeper interest which is being shown in the study of Memorial Art with corresponding results which are not obtained through making a profession out of what was once very largely a purely commercial industry.

The Cemetery is, very especially, an institution of the community which it serves. It is the spot where mind and memory lingers. To many it is more sacred than any other spot on earth, and few are the families in any community who have not sought balm for saddened hearts in the beauty and grace and quiet which the Modern Cemetery offers.

What more fitting place to render a service to ones community, or in what more fitting way could honor be paid the memory of the dead than by placing a Memorial in whose benefits others who may be passing through a like ordeal may also share.

A Memorial entrance, Memorial Chapel, Memorial Fountain or Memorial plantings; unselfish in every aspect, the gift of such a Memorial must bring more of delight and satisfaction to the donor because of the splendid service which such a gift would render, not for today only, but which would renew its usefulness day after day and year after year, rendering a service to all who shall, in the years to come pass this way.

From the publication:
AACS - Proceedings of the 38th Annual Convention
Portland, Maine
August 18, 19, 20 and 21, 1924

This is a paper on Cemetery management prepared and read by me at a meeting of the New England Cemetery Association in Boston, Mass., in 1912 which I have been asked to revise and present to this convention and which in an unguarded moment I consented to do, gratified and pleased, of course, that my thoughts then expressed were considered worthy of repetition. But when I looked it over with a view to making any desirable changes applicable to a National gathering of men engaged in the same work which occupied most of my time and thought for many years, and in the light of eleven years of further experience and observation I find little that I care to revise; rather would I speak more emphatically concerning the somewhat radical methods then advocated and executed by me in the matter of restoration and after care of neglected lot areas. I would ask you however to bear in mind that the conditions and methods indicated are based upon New England conditions and may not prove adaptable in our more southern latitudes, realizing as I do that each and every part of our great country has its own problems which can only be solved by a knowledge and study of local conditions.

The Century Dictionary says that a Cemetery is "A place set apart for interments; a graveyard; specifically, a burial ground not attached to any church; a necropolis." Without doubt a satisfactory definition to the average mind, but who of us, engaged in the active and practical care and administration of Cemeteries will say that the real effort required of us in the discharge of our duties consists in any considerable degree in directing the actual excavation of the ground and the placing therein of the remains of a deceased person; or even the physical preparation, care and adornment of areas in question, necessary and important though this be. Not one of us, I venture to say.

But rather will you, I think, agree with me that our deepest thought and greatest anxieties are given to the financial and managerial questions. While the family affairs, characteristics and conditions of mind of our lot owners require a degree of skill, thought, energy and diplomacy, which exhausts our bodies and minds, whitens our hair and furrows our brow.

Some one has irreverently said that we have much to do with skeletons; Yes indeed we have, the skeleton of the family, many first brought to the light of day while endeavoring to determine who owns or who shall "boss" the Cemetery Lot; who shall, or who shall not, be buried therein, or removed there from, after the death of the original owner.

We must also sometimes explain why it is that each and every lot cannot have the grass cut and all other necessary care work done on the day before the family happens to visit the cemetery, accompanied by relatives from a distance who have been led to suppose that their particular lot was always in perfect condition, even though they had neglected to give the order for its care, and of course, you must not say this in the presence of "Auntie" (who, by the way, is advancing in years and has most of the available cash in the family.) Why, in midsummer, the grass is not green, although we have not been favored with a particle of atmospheric moisture for many weeks. Why the grass does not show a luxurious growth under the trees. Why you permitted the erection on an adjoining lot of such a monumental monstrosity and you listen to an outpouring of words in ecstatic praise of their own "Rock Face" creation.

You are finally enlightened by the information that "out West where I live they do things better," and through it all you are supposed to give your whole attention to the cultivation of a smile upon your face which can be classed as "Cherubic" and "Apologetic," otherwise you are informed that "I shall certainly write to the Mayor" or to the Chairman of your Board of Trustees, as the case may be, or it may be that they will decide that it is best to call attention to the alleged condition of affairs through the medium of the newspapers.

At this point your foreman gives you the delightful information that one of the pair of new horses you purchased, and in which you feel such pride, "will not pull the hat off your head," and that the driver is “no good anyhow”.  Never mind; you must lie calm, so over to the new work mount the seat, take the reins, talk to the horses and enjoy the sensation which comes of seeing them pull out the load in good shape, only to be met a few minutes later by your Supervisor of Interments who informs you that some undertaker has forgotten to bring the burial permit (which he has probably not yet asked the Board of Health to issue) but promises to send it out in the morning, "Shall I let him by?" he asks. After an investigation of the facts you wearily answer, "Yes, but don't do it again."

The bell in the tower signals that you are wanted at the office. On reaching it you find a bereaved widower who wishes to purchase a two-grave lot, no more, "just a place to lay her, and another for me when I am called." You complete the sale, and if he is a young man you withdraw from sale the adjoining lot, well knowing that within a year or so he will, while on a visit to the cemetery, express his regret that he did not get a larger lot. You suddenly discover that the adjoining one is still unsold. He is greatly pleased and buys it, soon after he will be accompanied on his periodical visits, which become less and less frequent, by another lady. Again the cherubic smile appears upon your face and you are so glad that the adjoining lot remained unsold for nearly two years.

You are pleased with yourself and fall to studying out some new improvement and estimating its cost, your door opens and you are confronted by a large, red-necked "Manufacturer of Artistic Memorials," who bluntly asks why it is that he can't do more business at your cemetery, and tells you that "so and so" are getting most of the orders for new work. He accuses you of giving the, other fellow the tips, and intimates that he can pay as large a commission for business sent his way as the other fellow is paying you. You indignantly deny the allegation and inform him that his presence and language are obtrusive and objectionable. Out he goes in a "huff" and you hear him mutter through his teeth that he will "see about this." “I will have your scalp yet.”

A few days later your Chairman of Trustees very quietly asks you about it. You explain the matter fully, and he says, "All right but be careful, you must keep these fellows quiet, for some day some one will believe what these fellows say about you."

I am sure, however, that you will agree with me that a good Cemetery Superintendent needs to know more things than does a man engaged in any other line of activity with which we are familiar, and that while it has its troubles and annoyances, it also has many compensations and rewards, furnishing as the position does so many opportunities to render a service and to do a kindness to our fellow beings, and at a time when such service is highly appreciated, and bring to us many life long friends, which after all is the greatest reward to get in this life.

And then you think of the satisfaction derived from the effort expended as we take hold of a block of land in its crude state, hostile and rebellious and watch it yielding day by day to our well directed labors until it finally lies before us a beautiful area of undulating lawn, subdivided into lots; and we complete the picture by adding at suitable places the choice bits of trees and plants, and enjoy that greatest of life's pleasures, the delight of seeing things grow, and then the more sordid, material side as we figure the amount of money our corporation receives from its sale, many times the cost of purchase and development.

Suppose you are called upon to take charge of a cemetery, or several of them, in which there exists, as is frequently the case, a considerable area of "old part" and you start in to clean it up and put it in shape. My experience is that there is but one right way to go about it, and that is to make a clean, through job of it. If you cannot do it all the first season, do what you can in a complete manner. Pull out all surplus granite posts; that is, all but the four corner bounds; and store them away for some future use, pull up the corner ones and with a heavy breaking hammer break off about one foot of the bottom end and reset them flush with the surface of the ground so that the lawn mowers may be run over them without striking; straighten and clean monuments, tablets and grave markets. Remove surplus trees and over-grown shrubs, prune those left, dig or trench over the entire surface to the full loam depth, re-grade, working out all possible terraces, sod edges and around monuments and trees, fertilize with any good commercial fertilizer. If the loam is poor and hungry, work in a good liberal quantity of well rotted manure. Clean up, re-grade and resurface your avenues and paths and provide for surface drainage when necessary, then seed the whole with such grasses as you have found by experience to be best adapted to the specific situation. The cost of such work is not great when compared to the results obtained.

I am sure that some of you will ask, "What will you do with lots in such an area for which no care provision has been made?" My answer is, "Do them just the same, because if you don't, you will find that, left as they are now, they will seriously interfere not only with the proper grading of the whole tract, but if left uncared for they invariably produce weed seed which will inoculate those adjoining and eventually cause you as much or more work as will be found necessary to put and keep them in order, in addition to the nullification of your efforts to keep the others in good order.

Then again, are we not under a moral obligation to give a reasonable amount of care to any lot sold?  Assuming that lots are now sold only with a Perpetual Care provision, the entire process of which is under our control, and we adjust it by investing a certain part of the purchase money in interest bearing securities, the income of which bears the expense of the care of the particular lot in question, are those people who purchased their lots before we made such provision and conditions in any way to be blamed because the care of theirs has not been provided for? Would they not have been willing, yes glad to have had us lay aside a part of their purchase money for this purpose? Would they not have peen willing to have paid more, than they did for their lots if the purchase contract had carried with it a care provision? I feel sure they would. When you sum it all up the situation as I see it is this:

Relatively a few years ago we learned from our experience that we ought to get more money for our lots and that we ought to lay aside a certain part of it for Perpetual Care. And ever since that time we have been trying to induce the owners of lots purchased prior to that time to endow their lots by the payment of a certain amount of money mutually agreed upon, varying in volume according to the opinion of the officials of the various cemeteries and in this commendable effort we have generally met with success, which success in itself proves to my mind that they would have made this provision at the time of the original purchase had we asked it. Understand me, I would not abate this effort in any degree but we still have those with us who cannot now make this provision. In many instances the family has become extinct; in others, reverses have come and they cannot procure the money. It is true that in most cases they have only paid a fraction of the price we would now ask for the same lot but they paid us all we asked and would have paid us more if we had demanded it. Hence, if we used bad judgment and made a poor bargain for ourselves; I think we should take our medicine.

Whence originated this whole subject of Perpetual Care? Not with the owners of lots, neither was it brought about by legislative requirements subsequent to an aroused public opinion which has been the cause of many public improvements. No! We did it and I am convinced that it is one of the best things we have ever done.

Let me ask. What will you do with these lots ultimately care for them or not? They are on your hands and will never be moved away. That they are a burden to us and a menace to the welfare of our cemeteries and our lot owners, I think you will admit. Being a menace, I am sure that you will eventually care for them. My advice is DO IT NOW. May I not borrow a well known advertising slogan "Eventually, Why not now?" The satisfaction of pleasing those who are too poor to pay for it is great, and this is the class of people who most frequently visit the cemetery and who feel the loss of their dead most keenly. We have upon a large monument this sentiment engraved upon a polished granite surface," The best part of the record of every man's life is what he has done for others." The thought thus expressed is one we should cultivate and keep before us constantly while engaged in our work. Our doing for those who cannot do for themselves will bring to us our greatest reward. And besides, I firmly believe that if we remove from our cemeteries every foot of neglected, uncared for land we will make them so much more attractive than they would be if these areas were left undone that we will be able to sell our new land for a much higher price, so much higher that we will make money out of our efforts. I believe it because that has been the result of my own experience and observation.

With advancing years of experience and observation I am becoming more and more convinced that the most attractive and desirable cemetery is the one that consists largely of well-made and well-kept lawns, avenues, paths and trees with most if not all of t he ornamental plantings placed in the public or administrative areas, that is, do not yourself, or permit or encourage in your lot owners the planting of beds, graves or borders of lots or lot sections more than compelled to do. The old custom of weeping willows or syringas on the lots with two beds of scarlet geraniums in the front border is a thing of the past. Few if any now want such plantings.

You will in any section find angles and spaces of unsold land into which you may properly and effective plant hardy growths of flowering shrubs or herbaceous plants, as well as the dwarf and slow growing broad leaf and coniferous evergreens. By all means, however, avoid an epidemic of “shrub fever”. Often have we been advised to "make judicious plantings of flowering shrubs?”  I would advise a careful attention to the meaning of the word "judicious" to the end that it may not be interpreted as meaning "promiscuous," as I fear has too often been the case.

On the deciduous shrub proposition we really have two flowering seasons here in New England: Spring and Fall. It is useless in a cemetery to try to make more out of it. We have read and been told much about the desirable effects of foliage all summer and colored bark and fruit effects all winter. These are all very well in large group plantings in parks, and for some large border plantings on the boundaries of cemeteries but I do not approve their use in internal cemetery areas or between or near lots. They are overgrown and cumbersome in a very few years and provide an attractive place for harboring injurious insects as well as for the depositing of rubbish of all kinds.

I like a freer use of the spring flowering bulbs those that will live on and increase and thrive for years. How the crocus, scillas narcissus von sion, poeticus and trumpets in their several varieties do brighten things up and with so little thought and care and don't forget the hardly lilies and peonies.
 
You can always find desirable locations of them especially along the outer edges of group or border plantings of deciduous and broad leaved rhododendrons and azaleas.  They furnish a most attractive display and at a season when they will be abundantly appreciated.  I also find great satisfaction in plantings of our native ferns in shady, moist places. Their cost is trifling, as they can generally be had for the labor of collecting.

Yes, we surely have abundant cause to be grateful for the opportunity which our occupation and position in life have given to us.

From the publication:
AACS - Proceedings of the 37th Annual Convention
Harrisburg, PA
August 20, 21, 22 and 23, 1923

As one of the newer members of this Association, and with memories still fresh in mind of the education gained from the Conventions of the last few years which it has been his privilege to attend, and of previous conventions about which it was his privilege to read, the writer has been nursing the hope that he might again, in attending this convention, come as a student who is permitted to pursue a post graduate course in the profession of his choice and receive instructions from teachers of long and active experience in the courses which lead to an understanding of better methods, better and more complete equipment, and newer applications. As a human sponge, if you please, absorbing all the good things given out by others and hoping to retain them until such time as his own problems might call them into use.

However, we can learn that the plans and devices of men are never certain, and often, what we have accepted as facts prove to be but visions and without foundation.

Thus were we impressed when our good friend, upon whom was imposed the chairmanship of this Convention Committee, asked for a contribution to this program, even though extending to the writer the privilege of selecting his own subject.

At the same time this (favor) was extended, we observed an article which appeared in the Public Press reciting a request made by a leading magazine publisher in which Mr. Roger W. Babson was asked to write, detailing some line of business or experimentation which had not been thoroughly tried out and traced to a successful conclusion.

In comparison, it seems that the various questions with which the Superintendent deals have been as thoroughly covered at one time or another in the history of this Association as have other lines of business and experimentation in the rest of the business world.

For this reason may we be permitted to digress from dealing with any subject, singly, but rather to touch upon several little things which enter into the work of caring for a cemetery.

In the discharge of the manifold duties of the Cemetery Superintendent and in variety of equipment needed in his work there are several things which might be referred to as Little Essentials. Many of these which we will mention are, on doubt, employed by all Superintendents, and all are perhaps employed by some; many little conveniences which when once adopted and used are considered by the user as indispensable.

These are being added to as conditions in various sections and at various times require and as methods improve in the general conduct of business.

Changes may seem to be taking place very slowly, yet, always abreast with the times and one need not have been connected with the work for many years in order to note marked improvements.

Road building, sewer construction, grading, concrete mixing and other lines of work have called into use a new and extensive line of power equipment.

The power lawn mower is fast coming into favor where areas of unobstructed lawn permit its use, and it may be safe to say that its introduction into the Cemetery will have its influence toward the elimination of obstructive mounds and raised markers in Cemeteries where these obstructions still exist.

The little edger, or trimmer, for cutting closely around monuments and trees, or on borders where the lawnmower fails to reach, taking the place of shears or sickle is one of our best time savers.
For many years the dump cart had its place as an indispensable tool in the Cemetery but has been displaced by the dump wagon, and for much of the work the dump wagon has now given way to truck and trailers.

The trailer will also, in a general way, displace the wheel-barrow taking the place of that long used tool by the side of the excavation and the soil or debris will be conveyed directly to the dumping grounds, and the driveways will no longer be marred by particles of clay or suffer loss of material through shoveling from their surface.

To how many other uses trailers may be put, and how much time will be saved in handling material we will not attempt to enumerate.

Protection of the lawn at the time of a burial has long since been taken care of by the use of the earth-cabinet placed by the side of the grave, keeping the earth which is to be used for refilling in a neat and compact form and leaving the lawn unsoiled after the burial has been completed. This cabinet was introduced to this Association by means of an illustrated talk given by one of its members several years ago, and we believe has now come into very general use.

The canopy with side enclosures protecting patrons against the heat of the sun or against cold winds and storm, or used as a means of giving privacy to those who are laying away their dead; this, with the heavy ground covering of matting or other suitable material to be used when the ground is cold or damp provides a means of safety and comfort and has become a Cemetery necessity.

The lowering device, adding dignity to the burial service by its slow and noiseless operation and if desired, permitting the casket to rest in view of relatives and friends of the deceased, thereby saving them the severe nervous shock which we have all many times witnessed when the casket was lowered from sight by means of straps, accompanied by their addending noises, and handled by pall-bearers unfit because of age or lack of experience.

Grave decorations or linings which may be more or less elaborate with settings of ferns and palms and other hot house plants, or a simple covering of the earth with boughs and draperies which hide the walls of the grave; but whether the lining be elaborate or simple, much has been done toward softening the harshness of the old time mode of burial and your people are permanently impressed and their minds are eased by the beauty of the picture.

The public is being educated in recent years to expect the best in service and is pleased to pay a reasonable amount for it.

Debris baskets placed convenient to the avenues for the deposit of papers and withered bouquets and partially hidden by low plantings are not conspicuous and do much toward keeping the grounds free from those unsightly objects which would otherwise be blown about to lodge in the shrubbery or to litter drives and lawns. Lot owners with scarcely an exception take pride in helping to keep the grounds clean and instead of throwing trash upon the avenues will go out of their way to use the baskets.

Tomato cans, milk bottles, and the old china pitcher as receptacles for flowers have been replaced by the double cylindrical bouquet holder which is set into the grave or at its foot the top level with the sod, out of the way of the lawn mower, and when not in use is also not in sight.

Still fresh in our minds is a very minute description of the uses and advantages or the alarm and telephone system as operated in not a few Cemeteries. By their use communications are quickly established between the office and workmen on the grounds: attendants are notified of the approach of the funeral cortege and know from the signal where to meet it. The Superintendent, if out on the grounds, may be called or he may readily get in touch with any workman to whom he wishes to deliver a message through a signal from the bell and the use of the phone.

The advantages of this equipment can be fully appreciate even in Cemeteries which do not cover large areas.

We may not be predicting too much, perhaps, in the presumption that future equipment for this purpose will be minus the troublesome wires which if strung on trees are sometimes grounded by the winds, but radio stations will be installed and workmen will be equipped with vast pocket editions of the wireless phone.

Numerous other articles of equipment which might well be classed with essentials could be mentioned, not the least of which from point of time and frequent service are the pick and shovel. Little need be said except their having been used since the burial of the Patriarchs, and the probability that they will not be displaced so long as immigration laws permit the landing of men to use them.

Turning now to the office, we find in. a steel sectional cabinet all the paraphernalia for quick reference and for permanent and compact record, Use of the card system of indexing deeds and interments facilitates locating lots and graves, plans of lots drawn to a scale, and showing location of all graves, memorials and trees make it possible to give exact information and to transact business with dispatch. This is especially appreciated by the patron when he is waiting for information on the phone, or when planning for an interment and manifests a nervous anxiety to avoid delay that he may the sooner return to his family and home. Duplicate plats for the owner of the lot may quickly be traced and plans for the future use of the lot be indicated.

Printed forms upon which all orders are received, uniform in size for convenient filing; the autograph, making duplicate copies for office and grounds. Filing cases for standing orders such as Special and Perpetual care. Cost sheets, distributing time for various items of labor, and last but of much interest to the Superintendent, a cabinet for his literature, his books on subjects of horticulture and landscape gardening, Rules and Regulations, which are always convenient for reference, Convention reports, and the Superintendents Digest, which comes to our desk every month, "Park and Cemetery".

From the publication:
AACS - Proceedings of the 35th Annual Convention held at Detroit, Michigan
September 13, 14 and 15, 1921

When President Adams asked me to give a paper at this convention, and suggested "Winter Work at Cedar Grove," I decided it was with the idea that those of larger opportunities and accomplishments are willing to listen for a few minutes to the man of small achievements.

Cedar Grove Cemetery was started in 1868 as a burial place for the town of Dorchester, and the town appropriated about twenty thousand dollars for purchase of land and improvements up to 1872, when, by the union of Dorchester with Boston the rights and duties passed to the City of Boston, under whose management it remained until 1887, when, by an act of legislature, it was incorporated and the management was transferred to seven trustees, to be elected by the lot owners.

The cemetery contains nearly sixty acres, including two recent purchases of about seven acres, which are yet to be developed. Throughout the cemetery there are out-crippings of ledge, the famous Roxbury Pudding Stone, which is much harder to blast than the ordinary ledge.

As originally laid out the avenues circled the ledges and were set with maple trees fifteen feet apart. This is also true of many of the paths. It was the plan, as the trees attained size, to remove every other one, and later still to again take out every other one, finally having the avenues bordered by maples sixty feet apart. The first thinning has been accomplished and the second, and naturally the most difficult on account of the size of the trees and number of stones and monuments, constitutes a large part of our winter work.

In the old part of the cemetery, the preparation of new lots necessitates thoroughly working over the ground and blasting out ledges, which, as I have mentioned before, entails more work than the ordinary rock. But by the removal of the ledges we obtain all the stone needed in our foundation work the following season.

Another phase of our winter work is the destruction of gypsy moths by means of scraping the nests from every stone and monument and burning them and destroying them on trees and shrubs with creosote. By doing this work thoroughly we have, so far, eliminated the necessity for spraying and the results have been commended by the City Forester.

Unusual conditions have given us very little time for this work the past two winters; the first year on account of the epidemic of influenza and the large number of resulting burials, and last winter a recurrence of the epidemic combined with severe storms. The storms began with a heavy snow fall which turned to rain and then froze, forming a crust that was difficult to break through. All the avenues had to be cleared of snow to the ground as most of the funerals came in automobiles. For about ten days we were obliged to meet all funerals at the car lines with express sleighs as the streets from the car lines to the cemetery were not passable for autos.

It may be of interest to some if I say a word about our method of digging graves in winter. In the case of deep frost, the top layer of loam is broken out the size of the grave to the depth of 6 to 8 inches. At night we make a fire of refuse wooden paving blocks which have been treated with creosote. These blocks make a hot, slow fire which will last all night without further attention, and in the morning the frost is taken out of the ground to the depth of about three feet, and the digging can be completed as easily as in summer.

We have three greenhouses in the cemetery which demand a certain amount of care and attention and while we do not feel that they are a source of real financial profit, they provide us with all the plantings used in decorating the grounds. No attempt is made to do anything with cut flowers.

I have conscientiously, even joyfully, adhered to President Adams' injunction to be brief, but I trust no one will get the erroneous impression that there is a corresponding brevity in the amount of winter work at Cedar Grove.

From the publication:
AACS - Proceedings of the 34th Annual Convention held at Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
September 7, 8, 9 and 10, 1920

My friends, I am very glad to be with you this evening. I am just bringing you a breath of the forests and the fields and I am going to be as brief as possible, because I know you are all tired. This is to be just a little heart to heart talk and I want you to feel perfectly free to sing out at any moment during this little talk; if there is any question arises in your mind, I would like to answer it, if I can, at the time. While I was talking in western New York some months ago I made this very same statement about asking questions and during my little talk I was telling about a pair of wrens that were building on my premises, and in describing the nesting material they carried in, I told about this pair of wrens carrying a safety pin into the nest. Immediately after that, a lady right down in the center of the hall asked if I thought that birds could think and reason. I told her I didn’t know, but it seemed that this particular pair showed a lot of forethought.

In the end of Summer when the world is all aglow with the varied color of the trees in their autumn foliage, we begin to look forward to the cold, wintry days that we know to be in store for us; we look longingly to the well-filled wood bins, and we think of the long winter nights together, when we gather around the fire place and listen to the hissing of the baking apples in the ashes that’s the time, my friends, when we divide the world into two parts. We have stored up all those many conveniences and filled our bins with many kinds of luscious fruit for our convenience and our comfort. But when a few snow flakes hurry by on the chill of the west wind, that’s the time that the birds need our help very sorely and in our selfish mood, we have to a certain extent forgotten all about them.

Speaking of this particular time of the year, recalls the time that I once spent in the north woods in a little shack, in mid-winter. It was one of those kinds of nights when you can't find enough cover and we had settled on one individual at a time to pile more wood on to the fire so as to make it possible for us to just snooze. All that afternoon I had been watching the little golden crowned kinglets and the ruby crowned kinglets that came from further up north, around the Hudson Bay section and then down along into the French River section and into the Muskoka country; there were great numbers of them that where feeding on the ends of the evergreen trees. And that particular night while I lay there on this cot and heard the wind howling on the outside and it was a bitter cold night, one of those nights when if you would open the door the cold, icy wind would slash your face, I thought of this little tiny bunch of feathers with its head under its wings trying to keep warm in one of those evergreens. I am not going to say much tonight about the economic value of birds; I am going to take it for granted that you know all about that, because I went into that very thoroughly last year during my little talk to you in Rochester.

So, I am going to omit that and tell you a little about this wonderful, natural scheme, the migration of birds, how they pass from the north to the south and back again. I am going to compare it with a little excursion that we might get up by starting up in Canada and making a trip down to the Gulf of Mexico. We have a stop over ticket for every individual in our party, and we are going to pick out all the places of interest along the route, and we are going to stop off at those places. Undoubtedly, we are going to find places to eat and we are going to remember them, if we are well fed at those particular places. So, we journey on and stop off at those stopping places; and when we get to the south, we again think of coming back home, and then we remember some of the places where we have had an exceptionally good feed, and somebody in the crowd will undoubtedly suggest that we had better stop off there again and get another good feed before we go on. In speaking of the migration of birds, that is only an example. These birds that travel from the north to the south and back again are only making excursion trips with stop-over tickets. When they pass from the extreme north on their way south, they too remember the places where they can feed, where they can find an abundance of food, making it possible for them to exist and they also remember those very same places again on their return from the south, going north and they again stop off at those various places where somebody has been kind enough to lend just a helping hand. Birds are very responsive to any kindness that human beings can show them and where they receive protection, shelter, food and nesting places, you can make up your mind that they are going to take advantage of that stop-over ticket and spend a little time with you.

Very often the question has been asked me regarding birds, how is it that we have had those warblers here for two or three days and then they have all disappeared? This wonderful, natural scheme of migration takes in a very great number of birds, somewhere in the neighborhood of 440 different species. There are about 759 kinds represented in the United States and nature has again worked out a big scheme of distribution, so that instead of all those birds flocking together and taking advantage of just one route, they have numerous routes all over the country. Some come up from Florida and go up into the New England States; some go up into the Dakotas and some cross the Great Lakes and go up into the Canadian woods. Those little tiny warblers start early in the year from away down in the southern part of South America; they make the trip up through South America, cross the Gulf up into North America and into the United States, and pass on across the Great Lakes, and then they go away up into the North Woods, and one of the great controlling impulses that brings those birds up there is the insect food they feed on and the nesting and rearing of their young. Then when the young are sufficiently mature and strong enough they all gather together again and make this trip to the south.

While I am speaking of the migration of birds, I just want to call your attention to one individual bird and that is the arctic tern. That bird makes a round trip every year of 22,000 miles; it flies from the Arctic Ocean to the Antarctic Ocean and back again. There are many ornithologists who call this bird the "sun-down" bird for the reason that, in the summer time, when we have our summer here, that bird is passing along the coast and going up into the Arctic regions, just as far up north as it is possible for it to find any food and open water. They go away up there on those rocks to deposit their eggs, and they raise their young in a place where there is continuous twilight and no darkness at all. Then, as the end of the summer draws near and our days begin to get short, this bird starts again down the Atlantic coast, crosses the Gulf, and follows the South American eastern coast into the Antarctic Ocean, and again spends that time in the year there, while we are having the shortest days here and our winter months, and then, as the winter passes by this bird starts again up north where it deposits its two eggs raises its young and then again makes that same trip and continues to make that trip back and forth. That same thing, relatively, holds good with the 440 species of birds that I spoke of that migrate. They migrate in different directions, and nature has distributed those birds in various places. If' it hadn't been that way, all those birds would come to one of your cemeteries right here in Cincinnati or to one in Rochester, and they would clean up all the insects in a couple of hours and then they wouldn't have any more food. So they are distributed all over and it is for that reason that we have an equal distribution of birds all over the United States and into the Canadian Woods.

Now, these little warblers that cross the Gulf and come up into the United States and cross the Great Lakes and go on up into the North Woods are birds that fly by night. They do their traveling during the night and when the sunlight appears in the morning, they come down again into those stopping off places and feed and spend the day; if they find an abundance of food they may say, "Well, we will stop here for an extra day." Then, at night they pass on again. I wouldn't be surprised if everyone here has in his possession or has a friend who has a pair of good field glasses or even binoculars and it is a treat, my friends, just take advantage of it just now in September and in the early part of October when the moon is full, you watch for two or three hours, between the hours of Ten Eleven and Twelve o'clock, and you will see those little tiny specks, those warblers passing over the face of the moon on their journey south. Is there any reason why we shouldn't welcome them when they come to us in the Spring? And when they leave us in the Fall after they have been working hard ridding our trees of the injurious insects, is there any reason why we shouldn't wish them "good luck" on their journey?

Now the idea of converting the cemeteries into bird sanctuaries of which I spoke a year ago in Rochester was this: it simply makes it possible for those birds to find nesting places, shelter, food and protection while they are making this trip back and forth. This particular species, the warblers, will not remain with you during the summer, although some of them do, for there are a great many of the warblers. Perhaps I am safe in saying there are about 118 of them who in their migratory flight from the South American coasts inland, pass up north into the great Canadian Woods in great flocks.

There's the little yellow warbler, the black and white warbler, the Canadian warbler, the myrtle warbler, the yellow throat and Peruvian warbler, and as they fly up north, when these stopping-off places are reached, the ones that like to remain there like a yellow warbler, say, will stop off and stay in Western New York or in the Northeastern part of this State; and then we have some of the warblers that will stay in Pennsylvania; it doesn't come up into New York, but it will drop out of this line of travel and stop off and take care of certain insects there. The reason for that is, that these different birds feed on entirely different insects and the ones that go away up into the North Woods to feed, feed on entirely different insects; then the ones that stop in Pennsylvania, or Georgia or even further south, feed on still other insects and for that reason the various species of birds are distributed over different portions of the country, and there they feed on these different insects, and rid our trees of the very things that we have been trying to eliminate for years back. Then, too, there are several other birds that are exceedingly interesting in their migratory flight.

Just a day or two ago, I had occasion to speak to a friend of the chimney swift. That particular bird is one that originally nested on cliffs or rocky places and as it was driven further westward from the New England section by human beings taking up the grounds that were their natural feeding and nesting places, it was compelled to find other suitable nesting places in its westward flight and in the absence of the cliffs which exist along the Hudson River and along the Atlantic Coast it took the next best place to nest in. The chimney swift has taken the old abandoned fireplace chimney to nest in; and you can consider yourself very fortunate if you have an old chimney with some of those birds nesting in it. They cling to the inside of the chimney wall and they are always on the wing, feeding. They feed on the insects of the air. The chimney swift is the only bird that nests under such peculiar conditions and builds such a peculiar nest. It is just a little basket that it plasters and pastes up against the inside of the chimney and this is all done while the bird is on its wing. It goes to a dead tree and snaps off little dead twigs and carries them into the chimney and during the nesting time, nature has provided a pasty substance, a saliva, for the female bird to stick those little sticks together to build that nest with, that little basket or little shelf in which the three to five eggs are deposited. The reason I speak of that particular bird is this; it is the only one that I know of that nobody has ever found out where its winter home is. It has been traced in its migratory flight as far as the north coast of the Gulf of Mexico and that's the limit of observation regarding the whereabouts of those birds during the winter months. But they have again been observed in the Spring time, when the air would be filled with insects and then they were coming from somewhere beyond the coast and again coming up into this particular vicinity where we are now and then further east over into New York State and as they get over toward the New England States, they gradually grow less in number, because that's where they were driven from toward the west, not alone by human beings taking up some of their nesting places, but because other birds have gradually changed their condition and driven them out.

This is true, also of the martin. The martin was really a New England bird, but was driven further westward because the white throated swallow took up its nesting sites there, and so, the martin has gradually gone further westward to find suitable nesting quarters. But leaving now the subject of the migration of birds and going back to the cemetery: if you can give protection to these birds in your cemeteries, if you can give them sufficient protection to keep the birds there, and if they do any good when there for one day, then if you can keep them there for seven days, there is no reason why they can't do seven times as much good. And, therefore, it is very important, from the standpoint of the cemetery superintendent that they be protected. Then, too, the Biological Survey of the Government is making every effort to protect these birds, and they will be glad to have your help. It is a work that is well worth while, even if we leave out of the question their economic value. But while I am on the subject of their economic value; I want to say something on that side of it, as I think of the many interesting things that have been told us about the insect pest in the recent lecture in the earlier part of the evening. I want to name a number of birds that are particularly valuable in helping to control the insect pests. I didn't think of this earlier, so I don't believe I can give you the number, but I will try to call some of the names of the birds themselves: the catbird, the oriole, the wrens, the blue-birds, the white-billed and the black-billed cuckoo, the scarlet tanager, the crested fly-catcher, the brown thrush, the myrtle warbler, the Peruvian warbler and I am not sure whether I can include the black and white warbler, all those birds feed on the trusted moth. Now, if we had enough of those birds, it would eliminate the condition that we are troubled with year after year or it would reduce it to a minimum for a number of years.

And right there, I want to call your attention again to one thing I referred to in a portion of my talk last year. I want to tell you something about the life history of some of the moths or insects that you saw on the screen this evening and one in particular, the polyphemus or brown moth. This polyphemus moth is a night flying moth and it deposits its eggs on the underside of lilac leaves preferably. When these little eggs are ready to hatch and the little caterpillars emerge, they begin to feed on those leaves and grow to maturity and after they have reached maturity and have grown to a large green worm about 2½ or 3 inches long at the end of the summer they spin a cocoon, a winter home and in that winter home the pupa remains during the winter months. Then in the spring time, this moth emerges and again that same process takes place; it deposits the eggs and the eggs hatch and the little caterpillars devour the leaves and they reach maturity and spin this cocoon and this very same process is repeated again. But this is the thing I want particularly to call to your attention. Nature has supplied a number of birds that seem to take care of everyone of those stages of insect life. Now, after this moth, the polyphemus, deposits the eggs on the underside of the leaf, we have the various warblers that feed on those eggs; and after those eggs hatch and the little caterpillars begin to feed on the leaves while they are in the small stage, we have the yellow warbler and the Peruvian warbler and the wrens, and all of them feed on those little caterpillars. But now, suppose those birds don't find those small caterpillars and they grow to maturity and begin to spin their cocoon, then we have the white crested nut-hatch that picks into that cocoon and again takes up this scheme of things. But suppose the white crested nuthatch doesn't get this cocoon during the winter months as food and in the spring of the year, the moth emerges, it is a night flying moth and nature has supplied the night hawk and the whip-poor-will, both night flying birds, to feed on this night-flying moth and keep it in check. So you see, there are birds for every single stage of the insect life, and that holds good, not only with the polyphemus, but with all insect life and even if there are insects that the birds don't take care of then there are the snakes and toads that will take care of them.

Now, I think that the cemetery superintendents here have been very fortunate in having such a variety and such a number of lectures and talks on these various forms of insect and animal life. And my friends, these lectures you have had the last night or two, especially those accompanied by the very realistic pictures that have been displayed on the screen, to have had them before the first of last July would have been a very expensive, proposition, but here at this convention you got them all absolutely free of charge!

From the publication:
“AACS - Proceedings of the 33rd Annual Convention held at Cincinnati, OH"
September 24, 25 and 26, 1919

The sad lessons learned through making serious and expensive blunders are generally impressed on one's mind so forcibly as to never be forgotten. While the educational value of knowledge so gained is frequently great, the cost is excessive.

It has seemed to the writer that perhaps notes of a few of the many blunders which he has made, or of the results of which he has had knowledge during some seventeen years of cemetery work, might be of interest and of possible value to the younger men in this association.

Perhaps the greatest, the most inexcusable and the most criminal blunder which a cemetery manager can make is in overlooking any possible chance for errors or omissions in the records d lots and graves and the data regarding interments. No interment should be allowed in any cemetery until a complete and perfect system of recording has been provided for and the proper books, indexes and plats are in the superintendent's office. The most perfect system possible, however, will not secure perfect results without continuous, careful work by the superintendent. The plat system is the foundation of all good work in cemetery recording, but the results from this system may be sadly lacking in accuracy if the lot corners are not permanently marked, if the measurements are inaccurate, or the platting is carelessly done. It should be an invariable rule that each record shall be made complete while the matter is in hand and not be left to a later and more convenient time. It is an equally important rule, that as frequently as once each week, every entry relating to lots or interments made since the last checking, every distance and measurement and every plat of a grave should be carefully checked and verified to the most minute detail. Clerical errors occur with the most careful and constant and careful checking is the price to be paid for accuracy. In this connection will properly come a reference to duplicate records. This is the age of carbon copies. It is a matter of slight trouble and expense to duplicate by impression paper the consecutive record of interments, and if the copy is kept in a different location from the original, the superintendent and his lot owners will have abundant cause for thankfulness in case of the accidental destruction of one set of records.

Perhaps the next most important point is the preparation of full and well considered plans for the entire cemetery before the first shovel full of dirt is handled. Here it pays to make haste slowly and to expend money freely. Every dollar carefully expended and many apparently wasted in this way will in later years be returned many fold in the saving of expense of development and maintenance, besides the added beauty and harmony of all the parts. There are too many patchwork quilt cemeteries in the land now. Let us not help to make any more of them.

Just a word upon a tender subject long years of careful work by an intelligent man in a cemetery will teach him much; good reading will help greatly; attendance at these conventions and visits to the leading cemeteries all over the country will do more for him; but he will still be in the primary class as compared with the men who make the laying out of cemeteries a profession, and have a large number of successful works of this kind to their credit. We should let no small feeling of fear or petty jealousy restrain us, but when work of this kind is to hand, call for demand, if necessary the advice and assistance of the best man who can be had.

In the new cemetery, lack of funds may prevent good work in the laying out, grading and planting of the first sections, a desire to secure lot buyers and interments may lead to a laxity in the enforcement of rules and regulations, consequently, in nearly all cemeteries, the earlier sections are the most unsightly, while as funds accumulate and the cemetery becomes more popular, the general work, as well as individual lot improvements are better. The early work has been done, and the first sales made near the entrance and every visitor forever after is compelled to pass through the most unsightly part of the grounds. By all means let us begin at the back instead of the front, or at least reserve from sale a large tract around the entrance and extending well into the grounds.

All rules must be general in their application and must be uniformly enforced otherwise they are void if contested. A firm and impartial enforcement of the rules may save much future trouble. A mistake in point was one where the allowing of a lot owner to cut down a small and unimportant tree, came near making it impossible to prevent another lot owner from cutting down a two foot oak and carting it home for firewood.

A neglect to keep careful plats of every sewer and water pipe, with all levels, connections and junction points; and sizes and. materials of which they are constructed, is a mistake no matter how unimportant or temporary the work may be.

Marks for the base lines of all surveys should be made permanent, if possible, and bearings taken and recorded, so that they may be replaced if destroyed or tampered with.

The superintendent who has not at his disposal a transit level and rod and is not reasonably familiar with their use is to be pitied. It is not a serious task for an intelligent man to post himself so as to be able to do all necessary surveying and platting for his cemetery and his work will generally be much more accurate and satisfactory than that of the ordinary surveyor. Not long ago, the writer, in visiting a large cemetery, noticed that a cloth tape-line was in use and on asking why they did not use a steel one was told that they were too expensive. This reminds one of the old story of the carpenter seen walking rapidly down the street with his hands widespread and arms extended at full length above his head. Upon being questioned by a friend who met him he said, "Don't bother me-got the measure of a door-going to make a frame." Those cloth tape measurements and the carpenter’s “measure of a door” are each a little open to suspicion.

The writer does not claim to have exhausted the subject of mistakes or even to have made a beginning on the mistakes he himself has made, but there is one that he proposes not to make, which is to read a long paper before this association. It will also be noted that he has not quoted any poetry.

From the publication:
AACS - Proceedings of the16th Annual Convention
Held at Boston, MA
August 19, 20, 21 and 22, 1902

When I agreed to write a short paper on road construction it seemed to me to be a simple matter, but I assure you if I had agreed to build a mile of sample road I should feel that I could accomplish my task in a much more satisfactory manner.

The fact is, the superintendent of a cemetery is a man selected usually because of his qualifications as a proper man for the position, and in almost every case I have found that he possesses more or less natural ability in landscape architecture, and his common sense tells him how a piece of ground should be laid out to give the best results and make it most attractive, as well as profitable to the corporation which he represents.

An avenue in a cemetery should be considered as a public highway, in many respects, although a topographical survey would show that it would be inexpedient to run the lines and grades through a cemetery and make the cuts and fills to match, as we would in a public highway. The piece of ground selected for a cemetery usually possesses natural beauty, and the avenues should be laid out giving proper curves and in such a way as to preserve the natural scenery. For instance, a large tree or boulder coming almost exactly in the line of what might be termed by an engineer, a straight line for an avenue would probably be cut down by him and the boulder removed, but the ordinary cemetery superintendent would say that a graceful curve in the avenue would make it much more attractive and certainly add to what nature had already provided.

Keeping these facts in mind, the surface of an avenue should be built even more carefully than the ordinary road, for the avenue is subjected to all sorts of changes and conditions. For instance the heavy monuments are hauled over it and the foundation should be sufficient to bear up such loads without becoming rutted. The finished grade should be of such a nature that it will be dry at all times of the year because people visiting the cemetery are obliged to walk upon the avenues and the surface should be of the finest and best crushed stone, screened out in proper sizes and properly wet and rolled to cement it together to make the surface smooth and hard and show no inclination to become muddy under any conditions.

The drainage of an avenue is not of so much importance as the drainage of a public street. There can be located along the borders at the side of the avenue properly constructed dry wells built of loose stone to soak up the surface water if there is no better system of drainage and these in almost every case would prove satisfactory.

If I were to describe the construction of a public highway I should say that the drainage question was the first one to be considered, but a cemetery avenue, with from four to six inches of broken stone on a good gravel foundation for a wearing surface, will never be wet or unsatisfactory.

I remember well that it was once stated by one of the originators of this association that the parks and cemeteries should take the lead in all landscape work and this statement, while being made some twenty years ago, has always impressed itself upon my mind as being of great importance. A person visiting a cemetery ordinarily expects to find the most beautiful conditions surrounding it and there is nothing more unattractive than a soft sandy avenue, or one that is muddy when the frost is coming out of the ground. Such conditions many times deprive people of the pleasure of driving to a cemetery and they cannot feel that it is a place of beauty or that it is well kept. The grass and trees, of course, change with the seasons, but an avenue should never change under any conditions. The best work is the cheapest in the end. If the cemetery is laid out with the idea that it is to be used year after year it is certainly much cheaper to build the avenues properly in the first place than it is to undertake to half do the work and then after a few years tear them up and rebuild them. Such a state of affairs is unsatisfactory not only to the superintendent, but to the lot owners as well.

If I were to construct an avenue in a cemetery, I should first put four inches of broken stone on a good gravel foundation. This foundation should be thoroughly rolled and shaped to conform to the topography of the ground and finished and rolled as correctly and carefully as if it were the surface of the avenue. If four inches of broken stone (the size which would pass through a two inch hole in a screen) is placed upon this foundation; it should be wet and rolled properly. The stone that passes through the inch hole in the screen should be added next, putting on about two inches before it is rolled. The avenue should then be fil1ished with the dust from the crusher, making in all six inches of stone after it has been thoroughly rolled. An avenue built in this way will stand any amount of heavy traffic and always be satisfactory.

The State has spent an immense amount of money on the park driveways around the city of Boston and at the present day they are equal to any in the state, but I am sorry to say that many of the cemeteries, in fact, most of the cemeteries around Boston are not up to the standard set by the State in this respect.

Large amounts have been appropriated by the different States for building State highways. New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Massachusetts have perhaps taken hold of the question with more interest than the other States in the Union and I believe Massachusetts has spent more money and built more miles of road than any other state, and it has been demonstrated beyond a doubt, that every mile of road built has been of great benefit to the people using it and largely increased the valuation.

These roads have cost a large amount of money, but I believe it has been money wisely spent, for they serve as object lessons to every city and town through which they pass and today almost every town, no matter how small, has a stone crusher and a steam roller of its own. Every town should own its own plant if it has the proper stone at hand; if not the machinery is useless. Broken stone can be brought on the cars and delivered so near to the work and at such a small difference in cost that it is much better to buy the proper material than to undertake to use stone of an inferior quality. Great care should be taken in all cases to select the proper stone. A stone should be hard and tough and contain enough of the cementing qualities to make it bind. A stone may be hard and yet not contain the cementing or binding qualities and such a stone can never be rolled enough to make it bind, without adding some binding material.

The cost of building an avenue or road is hard to determine in such a way that it will cover all conditions. The expense of stone and hauling varies in different localities, but by careful study it has been found that ten cents for every inch in thickness per square yard is a safe estimate. This will furnish the stone, place it on the road and pay all the expense of rolling and watering the same and finishing it properly.

In some cases it can be done for seven or eight cents. On the basis of ten cents, if four inches of stone were used it would cost forty cents and if six inches were used-sixty cents and so on.

As has been stated, the time will come, without doubt, when every public drive will be arranged for the utmost pleasure of those who use it. It will be planned to take advantage of all outlooks over landscapes and it will thus come about that no educator will be more, efficient than our common roads in teaching refinement and inculcating a love of the beautiful.

From the publication:
AACS - Proceedings of the16th Annual Convention
Held at Boston, MA
August 19, 20, 21 and 22, 1902

I have been asked by one of your committee to say a: few words relative to the relationship of undertakers to cemeteries; and being desirous to be plainly understood I have committed to writing what has occurred to me, and with your kind indulgence will read the same, hoping that in case you do not agree with me, that you will take the "will for the deed," and understand that these expressions are the thoughts of one and not of many, among whom so much diversity of opinion is likely to exist.

Gentlemen, I realize the task I have before me, and know that the whole thing is a hard problem to solve, but I have given it some thought and hope that no one will chide me for speaking my mind.

Different states have different laws and the same with cemeteries, which have different rules and regulations. It is an easy matter for an undertaker to enter a cemetery with which he is familiar, but such is not the case when one enters a strange cemetery. But before we proceed any further; let's see what the law of this Commonwealth is regarding the appointment of undertakers.

Section 44 of Chapter 78 of the Revised Laws of this Commonwealth says:

"The boards of health of cities and towns shall annually, on or before the first day of May, license a suitable number of undertakers who can read and write the English language. Such license shall be issued upon such terms and conditions as the board of health may prescribe and may be revoked at any time by the board if its terms or conditions of any requirements of the law relative thereto have been violated by the undertaker. An undertaker who has been so licensed may act in any city or town."

Now that is the law under which the various boards of health issue to an undertaker his license, and he is duty bound to exercise due care, or his license will be revoked and the business which possibly he has been years in building up, will have to suffer. I am not finding fault with that law, because it is also a protection to anyone who conducts his business properly. But how is it with the gentlemen who serve in the capacity of Superintendents? They are appointed by a cemetery commission and are required to live up to certain rules and regulations made by that commission. Therefore, gentlemen, I wish you to clearly understand me, that while not complaining of the rigidness of the rules by which we are governed, I think that those in charge of cemeteries should use a great deal of leniency toward him, with whom he comes in contact so frequently, namely the undertaker.

It is well known that families have peculiar ideas relative to services at the grave. I can call to mind a case where a family had a quartette standing on the lot singing, while the remains were being removed from the hearse, and during the lowering into the grave. The mourners formed a procession which moved down the path some distance to the lot, and as the remains passed from their sight they returned to the carriages and were driven away, the quartette still singing. There have been other cases where the family remained on the lot while the grave was being filled, and a quartette singing until the last sod was placed on the grave. Many other cases occur to me, one in particular, when the family expressed the wish that the casket should be placed upon the bier and remain there until the carriages containing the relatives and friends had driven by, and the interment left entirely with the undertaker, who was expected to see that the same care and tenderness toward the departed was exercised as if it was his own. The above facts are mentioned to show that, as I first stated, the peculiar ideas of the family notwithstanding those in charge of the cemetery, must be respected and their plans carried out and if they are not, the undertaker is often censured.

Now one word in connection with those associated with the cemetery whose duty it is to open and close the graves. While it may seem a little hard, still I am strongly of the opinion that those men doing that work should be required to dress more neatly while in the presence of the mourners, and not as is common, appear like the regular laborers of the cemetery. It should be the bounden duty of the Superintendent of Interments to attend entirely to the lowering of the remains into the grave, and absolutely refuse to allow strangers, not accustomed to such work to interfere in so important and solemn an undertaking. And let me here state why I have formed this opinion. A case occurred to. me where I spoke to the Superintendent as to the manner of lowering the remains into the grave, and he feeling that I was exceeding my authority was quite indignant and did what he thought proper, and met with a serious accident, which virtually reflected upon me and yet I was entirely blameless. If pall bearers accompany the remains, as is often the case, their duties should cease at once upon arriving at the lot, and the responsibility should fall upon experienced and competent men who are familiar with that duty. There is a question which arises here and is often asked: Where does the undertaker's authority cease? I maintain that his duty is completed the moment the remains have been received by the men employed in the cemetery, and I contend that he has performed his part, and anything which may occur after that devolves upon the cemetery authorities. It is claimed by some superintendents that as the funeral procession enters the cemetery, it then becomes their duty to take charge of the same, while others feel that they are not responsible until the remains are lowered into the grave. I suppose it would be almost impossible to fully agree upon all these points, but I have thought that it was well to present them for your consideration.

Another, and what I consider a very important feature, comes to mind, and that is in regard to ordering graves for interments. I certainly believe that it is the duty of the family and not the undertaker to attend to this. First, because oftentimes the representative of the family may not be thoroughly familiar with the lot and although having received his instructions where the body shall be placed, from the relatives, sometimes makes a mistake, and then the undertaker comes in for reproval. Probably many instances can be cited where mistakes of this kind have occurred and owners were positive that the right directions were given. Telegrams are sometimes sent, saying that the interment should be at the right or left, and it is afterwards discovered that a mistake has been made which it is then too late to rectify. This has been done by reason of those giving the directions, by standing in different positions and not at the time giving the matter serious thought, yet having in mind that you or I were perfectly familiar with the exact location intended.

One word about brick graves; I believe that the price received for the same, varying from $23 to $26 and upwards, ought to cover the entire expense without extra charge for the use of the evergreen or boughs. These things are for the interest of the cemetery, and certainly would stand to its credit if attention were given to it, as the cost is trifling and would undoubtedly be appreciated by many families. This to my knowledge is done in some cemeteries and not in others. It also comes to me as a suggestion, that if a tent for use in stormy weather be provided, for which a nominal, charge could be made, it would meet with the approval of the relatives and friends. These are also found in some, but not in all cemeteries. All things like these carry with them a great deal of weight and certainly attract people to such cemeteries, when they wish to purchase a lot.

And now, gentlemen, comes what I consider a very important matter, and one which should be carefully weighed in all its bearings. I say very important because it refers to some of the financial matters connected with our vocation. It ought to be the duty of the cemetery officials, when an order is given for opening a grave or tomb, to request of the party a deposit for the interment fee. I never could see why this should devolve upon the undertaker. He does not own any part of the cemetery and why should he be called upon to pay, say a fee ranging from $5.00 to $30.00 and upward for something in which he is not immediately interested, and then be called upon to wait, perhaps a year or more before his accounts are settled. When a new lot is sold, payment is demanded before an interment can be made yet the interment fee is entirely overlooked, and often when the matter is spoken of, the reply will be, "The undertaker will make the payment" when he arrives at the cemetery. I claim that when the interment fee is demanded of the undertaker, some one is exceeding his authority, and doing something which he has no more right to do than an undertaker has in attempting to have a bill of his goods charged to the cemetery. It may seem somewhat singular, but those familiar with what an undertaker has and does go through must realize that they are very often imposed upon. Parties will go to the cemetery, order the opening of a grave and will be informed that the expense of the same will be met by the undertaker, and first he knows of it is when confronted with a bill upon his entrance there, while the owners will drive by and go to the station and say nothing to anyone leaving the file unpaid, when the entire expense has already been paid, except the interment fee which they have stated they would attend to themselves. I. trust that the time is not far distant when this manner of doing business will be absolutely ignored by the undertakers and that they will refuse to meet the demands for these fees without an order from those interested, that the same will be paid; and I now reiterate what I have said before, that I believe the cemetery officials have no legal right to charge the undertaker one single cent, without his knowledge or order. Think this matter over carefully, gentlemen and judge for your selves whether I am right or not.

I believe that there is one little item that I have overlooked and of which I meant to have spoken when I referred to the appearance of the men employed to assist at the grave. It is this: There should be a little more care exercised in the handling of the straps in lowering the body into the grave, I feel assured that none but competent and experienced men should be allowed to handle the casket containing the remains. The work is of great importance and should anything occur, serious results might come there from.

Gentlemen, I think I have fairly reviewed our case. I have tried to be impartial and confine myself entirely to facts and there is not an instance which I have cited but which has come under my personal observation. My remarks may have to some seemed rather brusque, but I have only tried to make myself plain, as my sole object has been to give you as nearly as possible the undertaker's, side of the story while at the same time show you, to some extent, how the cemetery officials should, in order to harmonize, make some changes in the present mode of doing some of the work. What I have tried to do is to give you plain, unvarnished facts, without touching the feelings of anyone and I hope I have succeeded in trying to be just as well as generous.

There is always an opportunity for advancement, and it is certainly the aim of every business man, while trying to advance his own interests to extend at the same time his hand toward his fellow man, with a fraternity of feeling which will bind us together. I thank you for your close attention and only regret that a better selection has not been made to present the undertaker's side of the case. I feel assured that even if the suggestions made by me are not all carried out, that they will not be entirely overlooked, and some benefit will come from them. For the Association I have none but the kindliest feelings and hope that they may succeed in all their undertakings, and realize that unanimity of feeling which should prevail with us all.

From the publication:
AACS - Proceedings of the16th Annual Convention
Held at Boston, MA
August 19, 20, 21 and 22, 1902

Nine years ago the Association of American Cemetery Superintendents was organized and held its first meeting at Cincinnati. The object of the association was to cultivate a better taste, and improve the various branches that enter into the management of cemeteries among superintendents and other cemetery officials.

But while we all can bear testimony to the good work of the association among its members, and the consequent improvement of our associated cemeteries, we have had too often to realize the great need of the coopera¬tion of the cemetery lot owner, without which the grand work of our associa¬tion can be only partially successful. Hence the necessity of educating the lot owner as well as the cemetery official. You will naturally say that this is a large undertaking. I admit it, but it must be done, if not in whole at least in part. The cooperation of the cemetery official and the cemetery lot owner is essential to the introduction of modern improvements and the main¬tenance of the most approved methods in cemetery work.
. .
This association has commenced this education from its inception, and continues to do so by its annual meetings as well as through its organ, "THE' PARK AND CEMETERY."

The lot owner cannot fail to see the marked improvement in our cemeteries of late years. This is because the education of the cemetery official has been going forward with uniformity on a new and improved plan. Our cemeteries assume more of the appearance of the park and garden and ex¬hibit more and more the most approved ideas of art in memorial stones while discouraging and prohibiting what is unsightly and inartistic. This is simply keeping pace with other institutions which lead in modern civilization and mark its growth. The cemetery, the dearest spot on earth to most peo¬ple, ought not be neglected in this forward march of progress, but should re¬ceive its due attention and be made to exert a humanizing if not a Christianizing influence. The condition of our cemeteries has been taken as a mark of our civilization. I think it was Benjamin Franklin who used these memo¬rable words, "Show me your cemeteries and I will tell you what I think of your people."

But how can all of this marked improvement be kept up if the lot owner will not cooperate with those who have made cemetery improvements in their most modern form a special study.

Boards of trustees make rules for the mutual advantage of lots and lot owners and insist on strictly enforcing these rules that the cemetery may be conducted on the latest and most approved plan. Yet the latter regard as unjust and arbitrary the very rules that were made for their benefit. This shows the want of education. If the cemetery were to be conducted after the notion of every individual lot owner what an unsightly pile of confusion we would have; hence all well conducted cemeteries insist on enforcing strictly the rules laid down for their management, treating all parties alike, whatever their business or station in life.

The difficulty of getting lot owners to comply with cemetery rules is most noticeable in cities of mixed nationalities. Some of these people bring their old customs and prejudices from their native country and it seems morally impossible to get them to conform to improved American ideas in cemetery management. Hence the position of our American cemetery su¬perintendent is often a very disagreeable one.

The tendency to violate rules or to avoid conforming to them is the prin¬cipal difficulty we find with lot owners.

Filling their lots with unsightly stonework without a particle of concern for good taste. Making high mounds over graves and ornamenting them with tin boxes, shells and other domestic relics from the kitchen and the nursery. This is most unbecoming and excites feelings of impatience or disgust in peo¬ple of good taste who frequently ask the question: why do you allow this desecration of the cemetery? We can only answer that our lot owners don't know any better. Then why don't you enforce the rules? they ask. Perhaps our rules are too liberal and don't go far enough in prohibiting this kind of nonsense.

We know that the finest cemeteries are those that have the strictest rules and insist on their being observed without fear or favor, while cemeteries that allow lot owners too much of their own way are repulsive and unsightly.

Prospective lot owners should buy large lots, at least ample grounds to provide sepulture for their respective families. This could be done if economy were exercised in funeral expenses and useless and unnecessary stonework. Instead of this, extravagant funerals are the rule, the interment takes place in a public lot or a very small cheap lot, and an expenditure of a hundred or two hundred dollars made for useless stonework follows in the immediate future.

Great mistakes are made in buying very small lots, which are quickly filled. The result is that the bodies have to be removed to a large lot causing a great deal of unnecessary expense, which might have been avoided if am¬ple ground had been purchased at the first selection. Another mistake is made in buying lots .in partnership. This too, often ends in disagreements and very unseemly misunderstandings, causing a great deal of annoyance to cemetery officials and undertakers. This trouble is generally brought about when parties buy lots from persons outside of the cemetery association, who cannot give a dear title without the consent of other parties interested and the cemetery association also. Such titles are usually clouded and often prove invalid.

All lots should be placed in charge of the cemetery association in perpetual care, so that when the members of the family pass away the lot will be looked after, and at any time the cemetery association will prove the most interested, caretakers for the sake of the general good appearance of the cemetery. This rule is insisted on in nearly all up-to-date cemeteries.

Great mistakes are made in the erection of stonework. There seems to be no judgment exercised in this matter and when a mistake is made it is very apt to be copied in all its details of hideousness. There is nothing so un¬seemly as crowding unnecessary stonework into lots.

Stonework should be confined to low corners for marking boundaries, and these should be level with the surface, or nearly so; low head-marks on a level with the graves. No such thing as a so-called entrance should be permitted; these are peculiar to St. Louis cemeteries. If the lot owner wants a monument it should be of new design and not copied from any one in its im¬mediate neighborhood and should be built in proportion to the size of the lot. Copying designs of monuments is not permitted in well regulated ceme¬teries.

If cemetery officers were consulted the lot owner could learn what the prevailing custom in other cemeteries was. But the stone man is the guide, philosopher and friend at the closed grave and the result is we have too much stonemason and too little artist and designer.

The improvements in cemeteries must be conducted under one general plan dictated by educated taste. Individual rights must be subordinate to this one general plan if you are to have harmony and neatness in the cemetery. This is obtained only where the cemetery authorities have complete control of grounds and graves. Then the grounds are laid out with taste according to modern ideas. But where the grounds are sold in lots confusion commences and the stone yard supplants the lawn and the garden.

Hence; the necessity not only of the education of lot owners, but the para¬mount importance of enforcing such education by discipline.

I have spoken of cemeteries as promoters and tests of civilization. Civili¬zation consists in subordinating the will and interest of the individual to the comfort and well being of all. This subordination so necessary in the walks of life is equally requisite in the habitation of the dead.

From the publication:
AACS - Proceedings of the 10th Annual Convention
Held at St. Louis, MO
September 15, 16 and 17, 1896

It seems to me to be unnecessary to go into extended details as to the many advantages to be derived from nurseries and greenhouses in cemeter¬ies, and while I believe they are almost indispensable from an economical and financial point of view, still I may be wrong. If the discussion that will follow the reading of this paper will sustain the nursery and greenhouse as practical auxiliaries, superintendents should clearly explain to their directors the benefits, financially etc., to be derived from them and the advisability of taking immediate action to establish such things where they are not already in operation.

What prospects are there for a reasonable return from such a project will naturally be the first consideration, and justly so, as all undertakings should have careful consideration before investing. My experience with young nur¬sery stock, in well prepared soil and proper cultivation, is that it increases in value very rapidly, many things will more than double the first cost in three years, so from a pecuniary point of view, I think we are not carrying an ex¬pensive luxury when we establish a cemetery nursery. But aside from and far above the financial value, in my opinion, is the incentive it gives to collect and grow on our own grounds, a varied collection especially adapted to the climate in which we live.

And should we consider it from a scientific standpoint, or as used as experimental or test grounds, the advantages are truly invaluable when a skillful man is in charge.

We all love variety, and we should endeavor to have as choice a collection as the climate will permit; and through the advantage of having a nurs¬ery this can be accomplished successfully. For testing as to hardiness or capability of standing the dry patching wind, during the growing season, small lots are used, not over a dozen of each kind; so If we fail in acclimatiz¬ing them the loss will be only nominal.

With practical growers such trials are constantly going on and many valuable additions to their collections is the result.

Experienced growers are not discouraged if certain things fail on the first trial, for, by having those plants under their careful observation they discover their nature and requirements, and by giving them a more congenial soil and location, finally succeed.

So the cemetery nursery appears more valuable and important as the numerous advantages are considered.

New shrubs and plants are offered for sale and highly recommended, as to hardiness and beauty of flower or foliage, but being expensive, and if difficult to propagate, remain at a high price for several years. A few of such val¬uable things, say a dozen of each, should be purchased even at what may ap¬pear a high price, and propagation commenced according to methods best a¬dapted to the nature of the plant to be increased, and by the end of the sea¬son, instead of a dozen we shall have a. hundred or more of nice young plants rooted and ready to take care of themselves in the nursery, the coming spring. As an instance: I received by express last February one dozen of Spiraea Anthony Waterer and one dozen of Hyperi¬cum Moserianum; two comparatively new and highly recommended additions to our shrubbery list. Those little plants were out of two and a half inch pots, puny little things, and cost $2.50 per dozen. On the 27th of Au¬gust last I found we had 200 of each, nice young plants, well rooted from cut¬tings and all at a nominal cost.

Another great advantage of growing our own stock is that the vitality of young evergreens and plants of that nature are so slightly affected by trans¬planting from the nursery to permanent quarters, and this particularly so, when we can make our own choice of suitable days to plant, such as cloudy weather, before or after rain, according to the nature of the soil.

Planters are fully aware that these advantages are invaluable and with proper care in digging out and replanting the loss will be very light; yet I hardly believe it is possible or that the art can be so perfected, that we will not sustain a loss of some plants from the effects of transplanting.

The cemetery nursery and greenhouse afford great advantages for the beautifying of the grounds, and in my opinion every cemetery should have them, in proportion to the demands or extent of the grounds.

The conflicting opinions of superintendents on the use of a greenhouse leaves the matter somewhat unsettled, some wanting a summer display of beautiful flowers and foliage plants, while others discourage such things. Where the lawn plan is being carried out, floral decoration is not brought into use. In old cemeteries the portions that can be called lawns are so lim¬ited, that something must take their place; even in new cemeteries where the beautiful lawns are to be admired, there are locations where floral dis¬plays can be advantageously arranged and will add materially to the beauty of the place.

The small greenhouse in connection with the nursery for the special purpose of increasing our stock can be utilized for raising sufficient stock for summer display and will repay us for the expense incurred.

The question of raising more stock than we require will depend entirely on the tastes of our lot owners; if they are in the habit of spending consider¬able money annually for plants, there is no reason why the cemetery should not supply them with plants at reasonable profit.

The educational effects of the nursery and greenhouses on superinten¬dents should not be overlooked, for it seems to be the general opinion that the better posted we are in horticulture, the more efficient superintendents we make.

If I were called upon to suggest a means for our advancement m the knowledge of trees, shrubs and plants, I could suggest no better plan than that of establishing a cemetery nursery. It is my candid opinion that by no set rules or theory can as much practical knowledge be derived; and I am con¬fident that no branch of the study would have a more immediate effect in es¬tablishing habits of careful personal observation than the care which the cemetery nursery and greenhouse would require.

Regardless of where we are located, it should always be borne in mind when purchasing young nursery stock in quantities, that only such plants as will make a healthy growth in our locality should be selected.

Seedlings of trees and shrubs are offered for sale by nurserymen at low prices, and on that account offer a great inducement to beginners; but they cannot be recommended. No stock should be purchased until it has been transplanted at least once, the advance in cost will only be nominal, while the success with transplanted stock will more than repay us for the slight in¬crease in price over seedlings.

To insert here a long list of trees, shrubs, etc, would be of no benefit and might possibly prove misleading, as it is the climate and surroundings of our several locations that must decide the question of which trees and plants are best adapted for that particular locality. If we are not acquainted with the requirements and habits of the plants we endeavor to grow it is but reasonable to expect that some mistakes will be made. To acquire this particular know¬ledge, no system can be thought of or suggested that can take the place of the cemetery nursery.

The arduous duties of the superintendent may not allow him over much time to spend in the nursery, still there are occasions, and leisure hours when we can visit it and see to the wants of the stock, noting the rapid growth of some, and the lack of vitality in others. If he studies up the cause and endeavors to find a remedy by changing to a more congenial soil or location, if this is done by his own careful study, and if he perseveres in such experiments, there is not the least doubt that in a short time he will become quite profici¬ent.

To close this paper without referring to the question of utilizing the val¬uable native plants indigenous to the locality would be a great mistake. Be¬ginners can do no better than to collect the many beautiful perennials, shrubs and vines, cultivate them in the nursery, and when established and ready for planting out, formed in natural groups or margins, they can hardly be excel¬led. In my opinion it would be difficult to find a more charming combinat¬ion of color and form than the margins of our woods present at this season of the year; and this affords a wide field for study for one engaged in planting new grounds or remodeling old ones.

It is the natural harmony and gracefulness, and that apparently endless diversity of color and form, naturally blending with the whole surroundings, that gives them the power of producing such charming effects.

All cemeteries have localities where bits of natural scenery such as refer¬red to would prove very effective and could be produced at very slight ex¬pense.

As I have been recommending the establishing of nurseries, a few hints to beginners on the preparation of the soil may not be out of place here. Have the land thoroughly loosened up at least two feet deep; after that a good supply of well rotted manure worked in, evenly, all over the surface. Should the soil show signs of retaining moisture after rains, under drainage will be necessary. Four inch tile at intervals of forty feet, and four feet deep, if properly laid will very soon show beneficial results, as the soil will always be in condition to receive rain, which will not only refresh the tops by its moisture, but pass through the earth to the drains driving out the vitiated air from the roots, thus leaving the pores of the earth open to receive a fresh sup¬ply, which is as essential to the health and growth of plants as moisture.

With soil in this condition, either made so, or natural, the growth of young nursery stock will be truly surprising.

If space will permit, allow for cultivation by horse-power between the rows and ample room for two or three seasons growth, without crowding be¬tween the plants in rows.

This work only requires a commencement, and in a very short time the diligent beginner will have on hand a valuable and interesting collection of plants and shrubs, native and foreign, suited to his own special wants.

After the nursery is fairly started, I would recommend the purchase of a standard treatise on the general nature of plants and make a study of them; so that we may work from established principles, and fully comprehend the object of every operation performed and their cultivation.

From the publication:
AACS - Proceedings of the 10th Annual Convention
Held at St. Louis, MO
September 15, 16 and 17, 1896