The Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1863-1886, 1863-11-05

which to restrain their bad boys. The
city of Cincinnati alone has erected a
House of Refuge at cost Of S175, 900,
and it will not accommodate more boys
than can be provided for at the State
Reform School upon the completion Of
the buildings now being erected.
IMPROVEMENTS, ORCHARDS, VINEYARDS.
The large front lawn has been
graded by the boys-a work which
would have cost three thousand dol
lars in hired labor 1t is well arranged
with walks and drives, and beautifed
with trees, shrubs and flowers. The
locality of the Farm is one Of the best
in the State for fruit, the crop very
seldom falling. Over eighty acres are
now in orchards, and four and a half
in vineyards All the fruits grown
are choice and profitable varieties
Some six thousand peach trees arc in
bearing, all presenting healthy and
very thrifty appearance. The trees
are headed low, and mostly in fruit
this season. Two thousand peach
tree were set out this year. There is
also peach nursery OF fifty thousand
trees onthe Farm. Theaprlc orchards
number ab out fifteen hundred trees,
five hundred Of eight years growth
and loaded with fruit Ono hume red
pear trees of four years growth, o,!c
hundred of two years, ard six hundred
dwarf pear trees, are flo 1rishing on
theTarm. Two hundred cherry and
fifty plum trees are also doing well.
The vineyards were trcnched two feet
and half deep, and the vines in bear
ing are full Of just ripening Catawbas
All the fruits On the Farm are colored,
fine favored, and of large size, and
find ready market. Much attention
is devoted to the culture of the rasp-
berry, gooseberry, strawberry and
currants, and to a vegetable garden.
Everything in the orchard and garden
department does great credit to the
skill and industry Of the gardener, Mr.
John d, Clarke, Of Lancaster, and his
many boy-heipers. The occupation is
admirably adapted to please, instruct,
and reform delinquent youth, and
prepare them for lives Of usefulness.
THE REFORM FARM BOYS.
There are at present one hundred
and ninety-fve boys at the Farm
This is moro than can be conveniently
accommodated but the pressure has been
so great to secure admission for bad
boys, that the Commissioners have
been disposed to exercise the most lib
cral indulgence. On account of the
crowded condition of the School, but
very few have been received for the
last year and half, except criminals.
These boys range from seven to seven
teen years Of age, and their offences
will embrace almost the entire cata-
lOgue of crimes known to the Courts.
One of the youngest, not yet eight
years old, was sent to the Penitentiary
for arson, and transferred to the Re
form Farm. This is indeed sad re-
cord, for wayward lads should not be
allowed to commences criminal course
before they are surrounded by reform
atory influences. We are certain, how
ever, that the boys are greatly i'm
proved by being at the Farm, and that
many Of them are thoroughly re-
formed.
HOW THIS is ACCOMPLISHED.
The entire system of Physical In
tellectual and Moral training seems to
be such as to develop the boys in an
eminent degree. The systematic out
door labor ofthe garden, the vineyard
and the orchard, together with the
healthfulncss of the location, produces
aruddiness circumference and strength
Of body, such as we have seldom before
seen, In fact, the boys with their
cleanliness, regular habits, industry,
recreations, freedom from tobacco and
Intoxicating drinks-use of fruits, liv-
ing on plain, wholesome fare, and
plenty Of it-bccome so strong and
healthy that physician is seldom
called, 1t was five years last January
since the Institution received its first
inmates, and during all this period but
single death from disease has occur
red at the Farm. September 1st there
was not a case of sickness; and it is
the report of Acting Commissioner
Howe that "every boy received into
the Institution, even in delicate
health, has invariably become strong
and robust" .f. ..
In their Intellectual training, tho
boys are taught by experienced young