STATE AGRICULTURAL AND INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL, INDUSTRY, MONROE COUNTY.

Originally established in 1846 as The Western House of Refuge for Juvenile Delinquents.

This institution has at present capacity for 600 inmates. At the beginning of the fiscal year there were present 586 boys. During the year 500 boys were admitted, 441 boys were discharged and 3 boys died, leaving a population September 30, 1909, of 642 boys. The average number of inmates during the year was 606 and the average weekly cost of support, including the value of home and farm products consumed, $6.22; excluding this value, $4.91.

The receipts during the fiscal year were: From cash on hand at the beginning of the year, $41,77; from special appropriations, $106,626.42; from general appropriations, $155,000; from other sources, $1,330.27; making the total receipts for the year, $262,998.46.

The ordinary expenditures were: For salaries of officers, $14,024.71; for wages and labor, $73,686.92; for provisions, $21,126.14; for household stores, $4,139.17; for clothing, $10,802.03; for fuel and light, $14,388.67; for hospital and medical supplies, $648.02; for transportation and traveling expenses, $1,692.29; for shop, farm and garden supplies, $7,233.90; for ordinary repairs, $1,147.03; for expenses of managers, $1,409.23; for remittance to State Treasurer, $1,330.27; for unclassified expenses, $4,735.36; total, $156,363.74.

The extraordinary expenses were $106,626.42, of which $92,823.89 was for buildings and improvements, $2,083.85 for extraordinary repairs, and $11,718.68 for all other extraordinary expenses, making the aggregate expenditures for the year, $262,990.16, and leaving September 30, 1909, a cash balance of $8.30.

Of the expenditures for maintenance during the year, 56.6 per cent. was for salaries, wages and labor, 13.6 per cent. for provisions, 2.7 per cent. for household stores, 6.9 per cent. for clothing, 9.3 per cent. for fuel and light, .4 of 1 per cent. for hospital and medical supplies, 1.1 per cent. for transportation and traveling expenses, 4.7 per cent. for shop, farm and garden supplies, .7 of 1 per cent. for ordinary repairs, .9 of 1 per cent. for expenses of managers, and 3.1 per cent. for all other ordinary expenses.

Chapter 432, Laws of 1909 (Appropriation Bill), appropriated for the maintenance of and rewards to inmates, repairs and betterment of tools, equipment and furniture, and for necessary tools to conduct the trade schools and common schools and military system and photographing of inmates, $170,000.

Chapter 433, Laws of 1909 (Supply Bill), appropriated for salary of custodian of the State Industrial School at Rochester, $1,000; also reappropriated unexpended balances as follows: For furnishings, $349.27; for under and over passes, $5,000; for tool shed, $3,000; for grist mill, $3,488.12; for removal of plumbing fixtures, $779.87; for trade school and laundry equipment, $8,006.51; and for site and buildings, $513.74.

Chapter 461, Laws of 1909 (Special Appropriation Bill), appropriated for fire extinguishers and other appliances for fire purposes on the hospital and the three cottages occupied by the smaller boys, $3,000; for additional water supply for four cottages for boys, five cottages for officers, and contagious pavilion, $7,000; for three additional cottages for boys, $33,000; for machinery for grist mill, freight on same and installation, $5,000; for equipment of cold storage and creamery building and slaughter house, $6,000; for furnishings, $6,000; and for repairs and equipment, including additional silos, $2,000.

The maintenance appropriations amounted to $171,000, the reappropriations to $21,137.51, and the special appropriations to $62,000, making the total available, $254,137.51.

The enlargement of this institution has been continued during the past year by the erection of additional cottages and other buildings, and it is now rapidly approaching the capacity originally intended 800 boys and their necessary attendants, and the question of further extension is important at this time. The managers now ask that the capacity be 1,000 inmates.

It is the opinion of this Board that the personal influence of the chief officers will be most effective if the ultimate maximum capacity does not exceed this latter number. With careful organization and efficient subordinates, the superintendent should be able to maintain personal supervision over the boys. Although they are in cottage groups and under the direct oversight of supervisors and matrons, it is desirable that the inspiration and personal

influence of the superintendent and his administrative associates be impressed upon each individual in the school.

The original tract of land purchased for the school has been subdivided into farms of fifty acres, each having a full equipment of tools and stock to carry on the work. To continue the allotment of fifty acres to each cottage group will require the purchase of additional land, if the maximum population is to be 1,000. Adjoining farms can now be purchased, and it will be economical to secure them at once that the further enlargement of the institution may proceed.

Two additional cottages for boys should be provided for by appropriation this year, and the furniture for the three cottages built under appropriations made by chapter 461, Laws of 1909, should be ready for installation as soon as the buildings are completed. In addition to these needs, it has been found that the appropriation for the grist mill and its equipment was insufficient, and $1,500 more will be required to purchase additional machin

ery.

The enlargement of the institution renders it important to increase the water supply. The health of the inmates depends. upon an abundant supply of water for all purposes, and an appropriation is needed for this purpose.

In connection with their work upon the farms, boys are taught the best methods of caring for stock, the preparation of winter food for cattle, fencing, tiling for underdraining and such other features of farm work as it is essential for competent farmers to know. Silos have been constructed on some of the farms, but it is desirable that ten more be provided for at the present session of the Legislature. The boys will do most of the work of construction and this will diminish the cost to the State, while the work is valuable training for the boys.

From year to year, trees have been planted and it is desirable that nursery stock be obtained to continue the setting out of orchards. In the lectures given at the institution, competent teachers give instruction in the methods of successful planting and teach the boys the kinds of trees to plant as well as the soils in which they will grow most successfully. The interests of the boys in tree planting and general agricultural work is stimulated by these lec

tures, and at the annual farm fair held upon the school grounds, the competition for prizes was very great among the boys who represented the different farm groups. It is desirable that this interest be sustained and stimulated, and to that end a small fund for prizes and to secure lecturers will be beneficial.

When the institution was located in Rochester the large chapel had a good organ. This organ was removed to Industry and is now in the Protestant chapel, but no organ has been provided for the chapel assigned to the Catholic services, and an appropriation is, therefore, recommended to purchase another organ.

The original contract for the erection of cottages made provision for sixteen cottages and barns, but before completion of his work the contractor failed. Much of the work done was unsatisfactory, and, consequently, these first cottages are now in need of extensive repairs. An appropriation should be provided to cover repairs and equipment.

The work of the State Agricultural and Industrial School has demonstrated the possibility of reforming juvenile delinquents when the environment is satisfactory. In the school at Rochester with its prison walls and atmosphere the boys were always restless, and sullen, and many attempts at escape were made; at Industry such attempts are very infrequent, yet the boys live practically in the open, and there are no fences for their restraint. They have a large degree of liberty and are permitted to share in all the home work, thus developing a personal interest in the success of the farm. The boys learn that the institution is not a prison, but a school established for their benefit, and that their future welfare is dependent upon the faithfulness with which they obey the rules and perform their respective duties. Records show that over 75 per cent. of the boys committed to the school are thoroughly reformed by its methods of training, and most of them look upon their residence there as the turning point in their lives. The institution has been so successful that no equipment which will advance its work should be lacking, and the general policy of the State toward this and similar institutions should be liberal in character.

The State Board of Charities recommends for the State Agri

cultural and Industrial School at Industry, the following appro

priations or so much thereof as may be necessary:

For the fund for lectures and for prizes for agricul

NEW YORK STATE TRAINING SCHOOL FOR GIRLS, HUDSON, COLUMBIA COUNTY.

Established 1904.

Originally established in 1881 as the House of Refuge for Women. This institution has capacity for 331 inmates. The number of inmates October 1, 1908, was 295, and 164 were admitted during the year, making the total number under care 459. During the year 155 were discharged, leaving under care September 30, 1909, 304, of whom 9 were infants. The average number present during the year was 297, and the average weekly cost of support, including the value of home and farm products consumed, $5.30; excluding this value, $5.03.

The receipts during the fiscal year ending September 30, 1909, were: From cash balance of the previous year, $281.61; from special appropriations, $397.60; from deficiency appropriations, $5,000; from unexpended appropriations of former years (special