1879-01-27 to 1884-07-10 Copying Book: Superintendent's Letters, 2005.062.008

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July 15^th [18]80

R. M^cLaughlin Esq 339 Medford St. Charlestown

Dear Sir

I notice that you have placed edgestones on each side of the steps on the lot you have just set for Mrs Davis #3967 on Gladiolus Path. There is no objection to the steps, but edge stones have not been allowed on the avenue or path line for several years. I notify you as soon as my attention was called to it, as I see the work is not entirely finished, that they may be removed before it is done.

Yrs truly J.W. Lovering

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Sept. 2^nd [18]80

Edmund Dwight Esq

Dear Sir

The sum already paid for the perpetual care of the lot #938 covers all care & repairs on the lot as it now stands and does not provide for any additions.

The cost of a myrtle grave including the perpetual care is $17⁰⁰ or $34 for the two you wish.

As to a myrtle border the cost including perpetual care would be $125, as it costs $4 or $5 per year to keep covered thro' the winter & to weed water and make the necessary repairs.

The myrtle can be planted this autumn say about Sept 20^th if you desire.

Yrs very truly J.W. Lovering. Supt.

38

Sepr 22^nd [18]80

Mrs H.B. Swift

Dear Madam

As your deed in Section 3 prohibits the erection of anything at the corners of the lot except the posts placed there by the Corporation, I do not see that I can give you permission to erect the vases on each corner as you propose.

I would suggest that a single vase in the lot would look far better and that flowers would grow better in it as there would be a greater depth of soil & more moisture.

Yrs very truly J.W. Lovering

Lot 4615

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Sept. 28^th [18]80

Miss M.S. Shattuck

Dear Madam

On the receipt of your note of the 24^th Sept. I went to your lot to examine its condition. I find that the soil is poor and that the shade from the two large trees added to that of the fence and headstones is too much altogether for good grass. The roots of the tree are all through the lot, and draw out the nourishment before the grass & myrtle can get it. By digging the lot now, removing the roots and putting in plenty of good soil, the lot would be put in good order for a while, but the roots would soon fill it up again & then the grass & myrtle would grow poor. As this would be a large expense, I should not advise it, if you are willing to wait for the grass seed that has been put in to grow. This requires frequent rain. The lot has been seeded twice, but the season has been a particularly hard one on account of the great dryness.

On the Baxter lot a much larger amount of money has been expended, the lot having been resodded several times, and being free from very much shade, so that it ought to look better. Our men have been to your lot & cut what

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grass there was to cut, have weeded, & watered & seeded it as often as on the other lots, and I believe its poor condition is solely due to the reasons which I have given you, and that while a larger expenditure of money would improve the lot, it would not bring it to as good condition as the Baxter lot, while there is as much shade & as many roots in the lot to take the nourishment from the soil.

Yrs very truly J.W. Lovering