lack of sufficient officers, although some improvement in cleanliness was noted during the recent visitation.

A more detailed account of each almshouse will be given, followed by a statistical report of the almshouse population. All of which is respectfully submitted.

(Signed) SIMON W. ROSENDALE, Commissioner, Third Judicial District.

Albany Almshouse, Albany, N. Y.

Capacity, 300. Estimated value, $75,000.

The Albany Almshouse consists of five brick buildings, four of which are very old. The service building is modern, containing a chapel, dining rooms and kitchen, a power laundry, shower bath and clean clothes rooms. At the mid-summer inspection flies were found swarming in the kitchen, a pail of garbage standing in the floor being the attractive point. The food served is poorly seasoned and unappetizing. A competent cook should be employed to manage the kitchen work, and have charge of the food supplies.

The morgue at the almshouse is used as a city morgue. It occupies one-half of a small brick building, and has a few rough shelves for equipment. There is no means of properly laying out the bodies, no refrigeration and no ventilation. There are often many bodies on hand, putrefaction sets in, and the place is most offensive. The cemetery is an ill-kept spot, which has been once filled with bodies and is now being dug up the second time. There are no suitable markers. The city of Albany needs a better morgue and the almshouse should provide more decent burial.

Columbia County Almshouse, Ghent, N. Y.

Capacity, 150. Estimated value, $30,000.

The Columbia County Almshouse is a three-story brick building, with two detached buildings. One is a two-story hospital for men, in which an attendant, paid $48 a year, takes care of nineteen patients. The other is an additional dormitory for men, and was found dirty and foul smelling. The fire protection was

improved this year by the purchase of 500 feet of standard rubber lined hose, and 250 feet of 11⁄2 inch hose. Liquid chemical extinguishers and fire pails should also be provided. The building is old and the plumbing out of date. New plumbing is needed, to do away with the unsanitary outside closets.

Greene County Almshouse, Cairo, N. Y.

Capacity, 100. Estimated value, $20,000.

The appearance of this almshouse has been greatly improved by complete exterior painting. The building is old and the floors and walls badly worn. Interior renovation is needed. Definite provision should be made for hospital accommodations, which are now lacking. There are no fire escapes, fire risers or liquid chemical extinguishers. These should be provided. The care given the inmates is satisfactory and the almshouse is clean; it has been placed in Class I as to administration.

Kingston City Almshouse, Kingston, N. Y.

Capacity, 90. Estimated value, $45,000.

The Kingston City Almshouse is pleasantly located and efficiently administered. The almshouse is an old brick building of the congregate type, with defective plumbing. The plan of placing fireproof stairs in a masonry well is under consideration. Liquid chemical fire extinguishers should be placed on each floor and new beds provided. Management is satisfactory and it is in Class I as to administration.

Rensselaer County Almshouse, Troy, N. Y.

Capacity, 350. Estimated value, $75,000.

The winter census at this almshouse exceeds the capacity, and about seventy-five men inmates are housed in the unventilated dimly lighted attic of the men's building. It has two small windows which are kept closed on cold nights, so that the air becomes dangerously impure before morning. The improper housing of so many men is a serious defect of this almshouse.

Another is the unsanitary condition of the hospital. On the second floor of the men's hospital is a flush closet in a small dark recess, which has no ventilation except into a ward. It is filthy, and the leakage soaks down into the kitchen closet below, where bread and other supplies are kept. Such a loathsome and unnecessary condition indicates gross neglect on the part of the medical and administrative officers of the institution.

Schoharie County Almshouse, Middleburgh, N. Y.

Capacity, 40. Estimated value, $30,000.

The new almshouse is a two-story brick building, which pro vides ample accommodations for the inmates but not for the officers. As a temporary remedy a large room on the women's side, not at present needed for the women inmates, is used as an officers' sitting room. The almshouse windows are set so high in the wall, that inmates sitting by them cannot see out of doors. The right to some unfailing springs of water was purchased, and proper piping provided, so that the almshouse is now provided with a good water supply. The dietary is good and the almshouse clean and comfortable. Satisfactory management has resulted in placing this almshouse in Class I as to administration.

Sullivan County Almshouse, Monticello, N. Y.

Capacity, 60. Estimated value, $10,000.

The Sullivan County Almshouse consists of three frame structures, two of which are very old. The poverty of the inmates is emphasized by their wretched surroundings. Every feature of the institution from the laundry, which is falling down, to the insanitary cow barn suggests penury and discomfort for man and beast. The yard is a mud bed, the buildings need painting, the stair cases are dark and steep, and the dining room inconvenient. of access. A new almshouse is needed in a better location. Frequent attention has been called to the disgraceful condition of affairs as to this almshouse, but the supervisors seem to disregard

these warnings. While there is some improvement noticeable in the management, unless some permanent improvements are soon provided for, stronger measures may become necessary.

Ulster County Almshouse, New Paltz, N. Y.

Capacity, 110. Estimated value, $71,000.

This almshouse is built on the cottage plan. The women's building is too large. for present needs and the men's too small. The erection of a much needed hospital would relieve the men's building of its excess population. The interior walls of the almshouse are rough and kalsomined. A smooth finish is desirable. Fire escapes and liquid chemical extinguishers are needed.