1862-02-16 Letter: Superintendent Winsor to Coolidge, 1831.016.001.004-004

Dan^l L. Winsor Feby 16. 1862 On care of lots in Cemetery - Managements of Greenhouse &c

MOUNT AUBURN CEMETERY. ----------- MOUNT AUBURN, February. 16^th 1862

A.J. Coolidge Esq^r. Secty "M^t Auburn Corporation"

D^r Sir,

Your letter of yesterday date is at hand and in reply I do not hesitate to express my opinon on the subject submitted to me in yours. As M^r Spooner has often expressed a wish to me resign his situation at this Cemetery as "official Gardner" and once, since his arrangement with the Committee to remain the coming season.

After the frost came, and his labour ceased in consequence, he told me frequently, that he thought the Corporation would find it for their [interest?] to take the Conservatory into their own hands to be managed by the Superintendent who could employ a Gardner, for the sole purpose of execute_ing all orders after the same manner, and system, which was adopted on my taking charge of the Cemetery on the first of September last, and which I have found to work admirably in

every particular. I show M^r Spooner our book, and method of managment; to prevent neglect, or oversight, in performing executing the orders, which [inclueed?] him to adopt the same system in his department, in future; and he has since told me, that he had got his book printed, and ready for case in the spring. c Hs. he seems to be neither distrustful of his success in consequence of nor being able to secure the patronage of all the proprietors of Lots and^^^{also in not being able} to prevent the annoyance in serious ways of Gardners, who are employed by some of the proprietors that are in no other way connected with the Cemetery cc. have thought under all the circumstances, the business of gardening might be better managed If [?] he has suggested/the whole matter was taken into their own hands

I have no doubt a proper person could be found possessing a sufficient knowledge of the care necessary to manage the Grace House & flower garden & supply all the flowers & shrubs that would be required for the Cemetery. And one who would always be on hand, from early morning, to the close of the day, ready to attend to the calls & wants of any of the proprietors who may wish to employ the

the corporation to take care of their lots besides the very great Convenience to proprietors of coming at once to the Superintendents office, and giving their order on the book for every thing that may be required, whether it may come under the Department of the painters, fence makers, stone cutters or gardner. If it should come under the latter as it oftener will, The Superintendent or his clerk will have to explain the present arrangement, and refer them to the Green House 1/8 mile distance, where if Mr Spooner, has arrived from his residence at Jamaica Plains they may find him - If not, they must either write to see him; or take another opportunity, or unwillingly leave their order with his boy, The profit on the labour, employed by M^r Spooner does not amount to $100⁰⁰ pr year to say nothing of the inconvenience to supply his call varying in numbers as it must owing to circumstances beyond the control of any one connect -ed with the Cemetery. After a careful examination of the whole matter I am of the opinon That If M^r Spooner can with all the [dis?] I have enumerated, get paid for his Service, I cannot see why the Corporation cannot, by employing a competent man at a less salary

than M^r Spooner would be satisfied with; manage the whole matter, with more satisfaction to the pro prietors, and more profit to the Corporation, and [?] it will give me additional [cures?] I shall be entirely freed from any jealous suspicions of being in any way disposed to influence the work being given to gardners, not connected officially with the Cemetery of Mount Auburn.

Respectfully Yours Daniel L Winsor Superintendent