The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1891-04-10
EVERGREEN CEMETERY.
Some of the Plans of the Board of
Trustees.

In conversation with member of the
Board of Trustees of Evergreen Cemetery.
that gentleman said there had been great
deal OF adverse criticism in regard to the
cutting down of the hedges, and the trees at
the entrance OF the cemetery, which would
not probably have been made if the public
knew the facts in the case. Ten years ago,
or so, when the trees and hedges were much
younger, they were in good condition and
looked WELL But the trees overtopped the
hedges taking away the sunlight and the
hedges consequently suffered. The trees
themselves, as has been stated, had becom e
much decayed. The cemetery, by the growth
of the city, is so much more frequented that
the driveway had become too narrow for
carriages, so much continuous passing was
occurring
The design of the trustees Is to eventually
erect large conservatory and there raise
plants for the adornment of the grounds, and
for sale to lot owners, who are constantly re-
quiring them. At present, the cemetery
trustees contract with Mr.. Burr of Freeport,
who is the only man able to supply the plants
10 the quantities required. The trustees,
however, think 1t would be far more econ
omical and better to raise their own plants
and flowers. There is constant demand for
them from lot owners. 1t is also necessary
that there should be pretty chapel erected
ON the grounds, close by the receiving tomb
where services can be held. Such a chapel
is part of every we'll regulated cemetery.
But to do these things money is necessary
The cemetery has fund of about $61, 900.
OF this amount, $4,000 is the increase from
the proportion of the sale of lots belonging
to the sinking fund. The increase from the
fund is about $500. The increase from the
| sale of lots for the fund is about $4,000, or
| $1,000 in all. The lots sell for about 500; Of
this amount the trustees get about $37, and
not $50, as has been popularity supposed.
Now the expenses for grading and work of
various kinds may be calculated at $4,000 a
| year, towards which the $1,000 of income
goes, leaving $4,000 to be provided for by the
| trustees, and to get it they have to scrimp in
many ways. This trustee says the sinking
fund should not be touched in any way until
its accumulation amounts to $250000 Then
there would be an income worth talking
about to take care of the cemetery. In the
meantime the city should make an appropri-
alton every year of three or four thousand
dollars for the cemetery, and then the trus-
tees could work satisfactorily. The new
| granite posts, for which an appropriation
| was asked at the last city meeting, were in
tended to replace the old wooden posts and
entrance that lave decayed and worn out In
the course of years. The polished Conway
granite entrance. with its carvings of the
years 1854 and 1891. will be lasting and
proper portal to this beautiful city of the
dead, and will be enduring, whereas with
wood there must be a constant drain for re-
pairs. Where are now unsightly places, will
be lawns and flower beds, and good deal
the south side. where people have thought
nothing had been done and money wasted.