Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1879-07-09

8Dlc 10 introduce, thoroughly teacn, ana carry
on In such an institution Industries which, on
the one hand, are least likely seriously to affect
already existing trades in its locality, and, on
the other hand will, with comparatively in
expensive outfit, afford the inmates who be-
come skilled, on leaving the institution, voca-
ton calculated readily to supply the means Of
Sef-support. II to these two considerations an
industry can be said to offer variety, stimulate
taste and efforts at ingenuity, we have the
essentials OF what Is needed In the matter of
industries for institutions OF the kind. While
several Industries such as indicated present
themselves, which might properly be intro
duced in our Reform School, If the requisite
means ard proper instructors can be secured,
we Will now coDf1ne ourselves to presenting is
brief the claims OF one wholly neglected in this
local1ty-the manufacture of baskets and all
kinds Of analogous plating Of wood.
In the first place, at an institution like the
Reform School, with Its peculiarly well adapted
premises and neighbOrhood, the cultivation Of
one or more varieties of the willow, say the
Salix purpurea and SaltX viminalis (Linn)
would be required and decidedly advisable.
This would at once teach boys the cultivation
OF oslers, or willow switches, and at the proper
season their preparation for the market where
they constitute regular and considerable art.-
Gle Of trade. Then the manufacture OF baskets
In Its Infinite variety from the rudest oyster
crate to the finest and most elegant ph;eton
body should be introduced. The variety OF de-
signs and opportunity to display dizziness Of the
hands maintains an interest for the work sur
passed BY no other trade.
1t is well established fact that, as an in.
dustry, embracing articles OF daily use is per-
fected, the demand increases, and no article
would seem to be capable CT being applied to
more general use than such as can be produced
by the expert wood platter. The simple article
OF crates OF all sizes required for the transport
tatton Of oysters in the shell, vegetables, fruts
nah, fowls, eggs, butter and q variety OF other
produce so extensively raised all along the
shores OF the Potomac and Chesapeake bay
could very readily be inexpensively and durably
made. Then the manufacture of innumerable
household and fancy articles in the basket line,
such as settees, chairs, workstands, baskets of
all kinds and shapes from the departmental
waste receptacle to the huge laundry requisite,
OF nom the tiny child's toy to the immense
theatrical wardrobe chest, would afford most
interesting and improving work.
Let US see what Is done elsewhere In this line.
The little town of Handschuhsheim, near Hei.
delberg, receives annually more than $4,000
for the early cherries packed In baskets of its
own make, which 1t exports mainly to England
The district OF Tamise, In Flanders embracing
population OF about 10, 600 Inhabitants, exports
annually TO Great Britain osiers to the value OF
over $l5O,6OO. In the vicinity Of AK La Chapelle
about one thousand persons are engaged In the
cultivation Of the willow and basket making
yielding annually some $3.50 900. In the Bava-
Ran town Of Lichtenfels and its suburbs, which
locality stands foremost II his line OF Industry,
the value OF articles exported will not fall far
short Of one million dollars annually. The sta
tistics Of the United States nowhere show an
export OF willow ware, but we find that during
the fiscal year ending June go 1878, osiers pre-
pared for use had been imported to the amount
OF $3.50 and baskets OF willow and like manu-
facture to an amount of sol AS. 3s, showing that
even the raw product Is cultivated in insult
cie0t quantity or Of inferior quality, and that
tie manufactured article Is In demand beyond
the home supply. 1t would seem self-evident
that such an industry taken In hand under
proper auspices by those In charge OF the insti-
tuition Indicated must succeed. Not that 1t
could be made source of considerable revenue
to the Institution; that should be q matter of
secondary concern, the primary object being to
introduce an occupation calculated to be inter-
esting and improving to large number OF In
mates, and more especially furnish them with
means Of self-support.
Part OF the land lying between the buildings
III.
and also along portions of the shores of the lat
ter, would, owing to Its composite character Of
mineral and other substances, ii properly pre-
pared, seem peculiarly well adapted for the
cultivation OF the better varieties of osers; ex-
perience having proven that simply rich allu-
vial soil, such as Is found along the deltas OF
large rivers. unless intermixed with other and
properly drained, produces rapid growth but
not the most desirably pl1able wood. The work
In willow nursery Is healthy, and the subse-
quent manufacture certainly no less so; while
the great variety this industry offers enables
every grade OF capacity and talent to be suita-
bly, employed, without mourning heavy loss
from the spelling Of material or injury to tools
and machinery on account OF careless or awk-
ward handling.
We ofler these suggestions with aview to prc.
mote the success OF and interest In an tnstitu
ton entitled to the earnest support and good
VIII OF every enlightened citizen and legislator.