been extensively repaired, newly furnished, and good yards enclosed. The increased room thus given relieves the heretofore crowded. condition of this class, and affords better facilities for their classification.

The insane present were wholly chronic cases. All were orderly, well clad and clean, and their rooms in fine condition. They are under the charge of paid attendants, and appear to receive good care. As yet, none of this class have been transferred to the State Asylum, and it was said that the authorities prefer to continue the present system of local support. The building and means employed for their care are deemed to be suitable and adequate.

The institution has the services of an experienced keeper, and is thought to be under good management. At the time of my visit, the buildings and grounds, in all their parts, were in excellent order, and the inmates provided with every needed comfort and attention.

Ontario County Poor-house.

This house has been in use for several years, but is well preserved.. Improvements have been recently made in the ventilation, and better arrangements introduced for bathing. Hospital accommodations have also been provided for the sick, and separate apartments furnished for the infirm and aged. The grounds are spacious, well laid out, and handsomely decorated.

The whole number of persons supported the past year, was two hundred and forty. One thousand one hundred and three were also temporarily aided. The expenditures were, for house maintenance, $10,700.37; outside relief, $6,834.97; total, $17,535.34.

At the date of inspection, July 16th, there were one hundred and five inmates. Three of these were insane, twelve idiots, and nineteen children. The balance was composed mainly of persons sick or in advanced life. Many of the latter, it was stated, had been inmates for a long time.

The authorities of this county early commenced the transfer of the chronic insane to the Willard Asylum. Thirty-three of this class

have been placed in that institution since its opening. The system of local support, therefore, is practically abandoned, those retained being all mild, harmless cases, requiring no special attention.

It should be added that the apartments previously occupied by the insane, are now appropriated to other inmates. This not only relieves the hitherto pressing demands for room, but gives the means for a better classification.

Upon the occasion of my visit, the institution was in the charge of an experienced and well qualified keeper. The buildings were clean throughout, the inmates properly clad and orderly, and furnished with the comforts and conveniences suited to their various conditions.

Orange County Poor-house.

A most gratifying improvement has been made in this institution since last reported. The buildings have been extensively altered and repaired, the defects in the heating and ventilation remedied, and excellent arrangements perfected for water supply. The adjoining grounds have also been well laid out and ornamented, and the whole place rendered pleasant and attractive.

There were three hundred and forty persons in all supported in the institution the past year, and fifty-seven aided otherwise. The total expenditures amounted to $19,781.60. Of this sum, $17,907.14 were for maintenance, and $1,874.46 for temporary relief.

At the date of my visit, November 18th, there were two hundred and one inmates. Sixteen of these were lunatics and twenty-three children. The residue were mostly the aged and infirm classes.

The county authorities began the transfer of the chronic insane to the Willard Asylum, soon after its opening, and since then thirteen of the more violent and excited of this class have been placed in that institution. Those retained are quiet orderly cases, and, it was said, require no special care. The building appropriated for their use has been repaired and newly furnished, and is in good condition.

The keeper has been in charge only the past year, but has had an extended experience in the management of other public institutions.

The buildings, including the insane asylum and grounds, when inspected, were remarkably neat and clean, and the supplies appeared to be abundant and proper.

It should be added, that these improvements in the institution have been made, principally, during the administration of the present keeper.

Orleans County Poor-house.

This institution was visited on the 8th of August. The number of inmates then was seventy-six. Twelve of these were children, the residue being mainly persons in advanced life. Eleven were lunatics, and eight idiots.

It appears that the whole number of inmates, the past year, was two hundred and fifty-six. The expenditure for these was $5,961.94. The number temporarily aided was five hundred and eight, and the disbursements, $3,460.71. The total expenditures therefore amounted to $9,422.65.

All the insane were in the chronic stage of the disease. They were orderly and clean, and several at work upon the farm, and about the house. Six of the more disturbed of this class were recently transferred to the Willard Asylum; and it was stated that the balance would probably be soon removed there, and the system of local maintenance wholly abandoned.

The institution is under the immediate control of the county superintendent of the poor, residing on the premises. The present officer has been in charge the past ten years. It is pleasantly located, and surrounded by well improved and good conditioned grounds. All the buildings, however, except the one devoted to the children, are old, and rendered comfortable only by frequent repairs. At the time of inspection they were neat and clean in all their parts, and the institution under evident good management.

It is thought proper to add, that the authorities design to erect new buildings, at an early day.

Oswego County Poor-house.

A new poor-house was erected in this county the past year and opened in December last. The building, situated near the site of the old one, is a plain two-story and high basement brick structure, well planned and built, and contains modern improvements for heating, ventilation and bathing. It will accommodate and properly classify one hundred persons.

The number of inmates the past year was one hundred and fiftyfour, and temporary relief was extended to seven hundred and thirty-six. The expenditures were: For support in the house, $9,384.64; for other aid, $12,108.88; total, $21,493.52.

At my visit to the institution, on the 9th of September, there were thirty-one present, exclusive of the insane. These were nearly all aged, and several of them sick and infirm. They were occupying the old house, the new building being then unfinished.

The lunatic asylum is a comfortable brick edifice, surrounded by spacious and well kept yards, and was in the same fine condition as when last reported. The number of insane was twenty-seven, all of whom were chronic cases. They are under the supervision of paid attendants, were well clothed and clean in their persons, and generally free from excitement.

Only one of this class of insane, as yet, has been transferred to the State institution. It was said that the authorities prefer to provide for them, for the present, under local control, and the building and means employed for their care are deemed to be adequate.

The institution has the services of an experienced keeper, and appears to be under excellent management. The new building is finely adapted to its purposes, and ranks among the best of this class of public charities in the State. It supplies a much needed and long felt want for the poor, and is creditable to its designers and the county.

Otsego County Poor-house.

I made an inspection of this institution on the 7th of July. The buildings have been recently repaired, and are in a fair condition.

1

They have been long in use, however, and will need to be soon replaced.

The number of inmates was one hundred and twenty-four. Of these, twenty-three were lunatics, nineteen idiots, and twenty-one children. The balance was composed principally of persons in advanced life, thirty-eight being over fifty years old.

It is stated that the house maintained two hundred and thirtynine persons in all, during the past year, and that seventy-seven were temporarily assisted otherwise. The expenditures were: For support, $10,612.70; for other aid, $1,833.10; total, $12,445.80.

No material change has been made in the lunatic asylum since last reported. The building is small, badly arranged, and highly defective in ventilation. An improvement, however, was observed in the condition of the insane, all of whom were chronic cases. They were properly clad and clean, mostly free from excitement, and their rooms generally in good order. It is believed that they are treated with kindness, and receive all the care practicable with the means at hand.

Thus far, only one of this class of insane has been sent to the State asylum. The intention of the authorities, as to the transfer of others, has not been learned. If they are to be retained under county management, a more suitable building should be provided, and attendants employed. It is thought, also, that better provision should be made for the idiots, many of whom are aged, and need special care.

The keeper has been in charge the past three years. At my visit, the buildings and adjoining grounds were clean, throughout, and the institution, apparently under good management.

Putnam County Poor-house.

This house supported eighty-six persons the past year, at a cost of $2,129.96. Eight hundred and fourteen were also temporarily aided, involving an expenditure of $2,275.34; the entire disbursements thus amounting to $4,397.04.