The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1862-03-14

age of is years to instruct in the branches
usually taught in the town schools.
Retrenchment in every part Of our govern
ment, 50 far as possible, by an exercise Of the
most rigid economy without crippling tho op-
erations of any profitable department, is In
the opinion OF your Committee desidera.
tum.
To this end we gave the Reform School
with all its apendages, our special attention |;
keeping in full view its indispcnsability,
whatever the cost may be.
In accordance with the report Of the Su-
perintendent, the Committee are satisfied
that the farm has been improved, year by
year, under his superintendence, and is now
in a good comparative state Of cultivation.
We would however recommend with oil
proper Difference to the Superintendent. an
increased energy in adopting fora portion OF
the farm, kind Of crops, such as would re-
quire the largest amount of hand labor, and
yield corresponding value of products.
Currants, strawberries, cabbages, onions,
and many other kinds, by investigation will
be found to be adapted to the land, and
should at once bc applied, not by the rod or
rood, but by the acre and ten acres, with
the purpose of harvesting from 400 to $500
per acre, instead Of from 80 to $40, the pres
ent result.
Thus you will afford during the summer
months, constant employment for the boys,
permanent in its character, and in no way
dependent upon the fluctuations always at.
tendant upon manufactures and mechanic
al labor. ...- t.......-.
The management of this farm as exhibited
by its list of products on page 81 of the Sth
annual Report of Trustees and Saperintcn-
dent appears to bc very similar to that of
farms of similar size throughout the State,
and where the whole help is not equal to
more than four good laborers.
To this management we except, and sub
nit for the consideration Of the people Of
Maine, that now at the age of eight years
with three constant hired laborers during the
whole time, and l3O boys more or less, from
to Is years Of age, there has not manifest
ly been in the conduct of that institution a
wanting in the esprit Of DASH" .
We suggest the propricty of appropriat-
ing at least twenty acres Of said farm to gar
dening and the cultivation Of the above
named and similar crops, believing that this
portion Of the farm alone, taxed to its ut
most capacity, may bc made to yield an an
uual income sufficient for tho purchase Of oil
the groceries needed on the farm, Ito wit.thc
sum Of S4OOO.) In the city of Portland, q
distance of three miles, will always bc found
n ready market for such productions.
The outlay for the Inauguration Of this
system, would consist mainly in hand labor,
an abundance of which will always DO at
hand.
Additional fertilizers would be required it
is true, supply of which may be obtained
by liberal use OF muck, which is there de-
posted in large quantities. ..
The system Of cultivation indicated, would
afford employment for the boys during the G
summer months and of such character US
to induce to health and moral reform.
The six winter months remain undisposed
Of, and by dictation of the laws Of climate
the labor OF the boys must be performed in
the shops, in such business US can be obtain
ed. ...
Your Committee recommend, that such n
system Of mechanical labor be introduced, as
would afford them the best opportunity to
learn useful trades, and would also afford the
best remuneration for their services, that they
may be the better prepared when they leave
to buffet their way against lii''' uneven cur
rent.
BY reference to tho report aforesaid. we
find the Treasurer charges himself with 5000
received for boys labor, and credits himself
with $3.50 as paid for boys labor, leaving a
net to the State of only S3l7 Tor their labor
for the financial year ending March 3lst,
1861, not including that done on tho farm.
Tho Board OF Trustees have estimated their
labor for the year ending April i, 1863, at
$500.
In other words they say, that for the six
winter months. with an investment in the
way of salaries Of moro than $4,000 on the
part of the State, these $50 boys cannot be
made to earn in any business which they can
obtain, moro than two and half cents in
each day towards their own board. H..
This calculation is based upon tho hypoth-
esis that their united services are to be ap-
piled to the farm the six summer months.
1t was once said by oneNof our most emin-
ent statesman. that the wealth Of country
consists "as much in ITS brains rs its hands"
We have any amount Of the latter at this in
stitutiOn ; and are unpreparcd to say their Is
any defciancy in the former. But we do say
that the taxpayers of Maine have a right to
demand smarter exercise Of both kinds Of
Of capital. t.at
The committee believe these boys ought to
earn at least 10 cents each per day. and do
not adopt the idea that employment can't be