In an admirable essay before the Massachusetts Horticultural Society, Mr. J. G. Barker gave his views as to the proper ideas to rule in cemetery gardening, which may be briefly summed up as follows:

First

There should be perfect security and permanence in the title and against intrusion.

Second

Insuring peaceful quiet and perfect repose to all who may be brought within the sacred limits.

Third

The landscape should embrace a diversified surface of land and water.

Fourth

The area should be covered with green turf in broad stretches.

Fifth

Shaded by umbrageous trees, singly distributed at intervals or in open groups.

Sixth

And reaching on either side to masses of foliage of different hues, deciduous or evergreen, according to the situation. The outside boundaries should be concealed by these, and at the same time, from various commanding eminences, open and unobstructed vistas across the demesne and to distant objects of interest, should be carefully preserved.

Seventh

Easy access to all parts of the ground should be provided by smooth hard roads and paths, kept in perfect order.

Eighth

Above all, we should enjoin severe simplicity and strictly good taste in the decoration of the graves and the mementoes offered to the dear departed ones.

Ninth

In the modern rural cemetery we want no selfish repellent and obtrusive fences as enclosures to our lots, ever decaying and ever reminding us of the egotistical claims and pretensions of individuals in this common meeting place of rich and poor, where all of us, from the highest to the lowest, are at last reduced to a common level and to a condition in which there is and should be no respect of persons.

Tenth

Lastly, and in connection with the sentiments already presented, as appropriate accompaniments and conditions of the sacred precincts of the cemetery, let us carefully avoid another great danger that is incurred in our desire to pay due respect to the memory of our dead; let us avoid making such a sacred spot appear to be only one vast advertisement of the stonecutter's thriving trade. Instead of the constant repetition of granite and marble, shaft and obelisk, or pretentious mausoleum or cenotaph, some persons will prefer to place a mass of native rock, partially faced for an inscription. Others, again, will prefer to mark 'the spot most dear of all the earth beside' by planting a memorial tree to mark the last resting place of their dear departed friends".