The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1880-05-04
Evergreen Cemetery.

Reference having been made by several pa
pers in regard to the work being done at Ever
green Cemetery, we are enabled from inquiry
to give more in detail general idea of the
work contemplated and indeed already in pro-
gress.
Under the management of the present Board
Of Trustees we notice vigorous policy is be-
ing adopted, differing somewhat from that of
previous years. The labor department and
financial affairs will hereafter be conducted
upon strictly business principles, to secure the
best results for the expenditures made.
Already under the direction of Messrs.
Cushman and Small, subcommittee Of the
trustees having in charge the labor in the
cemetery, many decided improvements are in
progress. About week ago crew Of some
six or eight men commenced at the extreme
eastern line of the cemetery, with rakes, clear
ing every lot, avenue and path, of the leaves,
grass and rubbish, making thorough work as
they 60, which will continue until the whole
yard has been cleaned ready for the grass and
roots which are coming rapidly forward. AS
soon as this is completed the same crew will
again 60 through the yard, with hoe and
shovel, cleaning all the walks of grass and
weeds which, in some locations have been al
lowed to almost obscure them. In some Of the
most ancient lots many Of the stones are sadly
neglected and in falling condition,
which, in self defence, the trustees will find
necessary to put in position to remove the APP
pearance of negligence which strikes the OBJ
server. All this will be done at q compare
lively very small expense and is thus early be-
ing done before the season for plants and
flowers is at hand. The early summer will
thus find the cemetery in the best possible con-
dition.
1t is designed very soon to have three sets of
signs in use in the cemetery-one to be marked
P. G. to denote perpetual care; one as at pres
emit used to denote that an unoccupied lot is
sold, with the purchasers name. and one of
different design with number of lot only,
which indicates that the same is for sale. By
this arrangement the public can at once see
the condition Of all unoccupied lots, whether
the same is. or is not for sale, together with
the number, which, the price being fixed, will
greatly relieve the agent in selling lots and
pointing out locations.
The question of the great need of pure water
council last year to inquire into the expediency
of introducing Sebago water into the grounds,
but upon investigation the great cost at the
outset, coupled with an annual tax of large
amount, forced the city to abandon the idea.
The trustees are now confident that they can
to great extent overcome this difficulty and
eventually secure water for general use. Di-
rectly in the rear of the gravel beds, in the
low stretch of land which adjoins the Long
fellow property, until recently covered by a
grave, a very fine and never failing spring
takes its rise. Directly on vein of this
spring brick reservoir has been sunk,
some 10 feet in diameter and - feet deep,
which at present has about 6 feet of water,
from which source it is proposed to force the
water with large and powerful windmill to
a large reservoir to be located on the high
mound which is new covered with trees and
rustic arbor For the present season a supply
for the cemetery carts will be obtained from
this reservoir instead of tho ponds as hereto
fore, thus saving the work of five or six men in
bailing water. The design is to eventually pipe
the grounds for general use. Another i'm
portant and convenient arrangement will be
book, to be open at all times, at the office, in
which all the wants of lot owners in regard to
the same may be entered for the information
of the agent and trustees, that such wishes
may, as far as practicable be attended to and
not forgotten. A large item of expense has
been the purchase of sods for use in the ceme-
terry. About five acres will be sown down this
season in the lower unoccupied section of the
cemetery for the purpose of cutting sods, which
will provide a continual supply.
Now let the public carefully observe the
rules and ordinances on cemetery and thereby
assist the trustees and agent in their endeav-
ors to keep Evergreen Cemetery the pride of
our city.