Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-10-25
THE ANNUAL REPORT

Mr. A. J. Falls, president of the board OF trustees
of the reform school Of the District, to-day trans
mitted his annual report to the Attorney General.
The report shows that there were 159 boys in the
school June 30th, 1880; 60 were committed during
the ensuing twelve months, 81 discharged because
OF good conduct, IA absent without leave, leaving
1873 in the school on the Both OF june 1881. There
was but little sickness and no accident or death
during the year. During the Is years the school
has been in operation 200 boys were cared for and
but deaths occurred, two by accident and three
by disease.
The farm and garden have produced very well,
and during the past summer the boys were abund-
ant1y supplied with fresh vegetables and fruits.
But little of the vegetables and fruits SOld it
has been learned by experience that in sanitary
as well as economical pOit OF view 1t Is better to
give the boys such products as are raised at the
school than to dispose of the same in market. The
would not compensate for depriving the inmates
of the same, which they cultivate and have right
to enjoy.
During the year many repairs and improve
ments have been made, much grading around
the buildings has been completed, and
cefved from the trustees of the estate of Jay Cooke
& Co., put under cultivation. When this land is
properly fenced and fertiized it will be great ac-
QUESTION to the school, and long felt want sup
piled. An apple orchard has been set out upon
this land, apd It Is the intention Of the board to
farm is thin and requires much fertilizng to cause
it to produce, and it is thought by the trustees to
be desirable to put as much OF it in fruit as pos
sible The cultivation and care OF fruit trees not
only give the boys out door labor, but teaches
them an occupation which will inure to their adj
vantage In after life, especially those who may
"follow the plow" for livelihood.
proposals for construction Of a workshop have
been advertised for and contracts entered into for
the immediate prosecution of the work. The need
or workshop for teaching the boys suitable
trades has long been felt, and now that through
the nberality of Congress the means have been
ability, win be taught something that viii serve
him In the future.
An abundance of good pure water has been
found by sinking wells upon the farm. pump
house has been erected and machinery OF sufficient
power, purchased for the purpose OF forcing water
to all portions OF the buildings and grounds The
present means OF heating the buildings are made
quate, and 1t is earnestly hoped Congress Will pro-
vide means for making such repairs and additions
The receipts of the school during the fiscal year
from various sources amounted to $40. 1850. At
tention is invited to the necessity OF more room In
the school for err1Dg ana Waywalu Doys, An ad-
5000, and could be filed with inmates by the
time It was completed
wear ia highly commended and also the fidelity OF
the various officers and employees OF the tnstitu-
ton The appointment OF cOmmlIUee lOr the
purpose OF visiting and inspecting schools Of a
portions Of the country is noted. This committee
and House of Refuge at BaltimSre;
House ao OF ., RefIge PanaaR fsand anew snS
the New York Catholic protectory at Westchester,
N. T.; house OF reformation, Deer Island, Boston
harbOr; MOrsella- street home, Boston, and MaSsa-
chusetts state reform school, at Westboro', Mass
submitted by Mr.. Falls and attention Is called to
recommendations made by the committee for the
enlargement and improvement OF the District re-
form school