The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1899-03-03
INSANE PATIENTS
TO WORK A FARM
Innovation at Stockton for Which the
Legislature May Grant an
A,onronri tiOn.
Appropriation.

STOCKTON, March 2.-What kind OF
farmers will the patients OF an insane
asylum make? That is the question winch
arises with the announcement that
truck farm is to be operated IN conhec-
ton with the big asylum at TINS place
The board of managers has reason TO eN-
pect favorable action this week by the
Legislature on its request for an appro-
priation with which to purchase lana TO
undertake this novel venture. 1t Will De
an innovation which will be closeIy
watched by other institutions OF the klho
throughout the land and by those Who
wish to see State institutions put as neal
as possible upon self-sustalnlne OASIS
The tract of land 1t is proposed 10 peEII
chase is on the San Joaquin RlVer, HVS
miles from the asylum. 1t is Ieril1S anu
well adapted in every way Tor truck IdIIh-
ing There are about 100 acres III lHS
farm It was impossible to procure Ianu
adjoining the asylum property, as II -
all within the city limits, and town I ots
would be rather expensive even 1oI d 44O4'
State to experiment upon
The working force to the NUMBER OF
about 100 day is to be conveyed 10 tllS
farm every morning and returned IN s3ou
season to the asylum, ana eVenludlly
when the North-street canal is opened TO
the river the farm may be reacheu ny me
water route, as the canal runs along Tue
northern boundary OF the asylum gpoun a,1d
There are about 300 men OF young ana
medium age, physical strength ana hght
mental maiadies who will be available for
+he work. Experience around the GROUNDS
has demonstrated that considerable work
can be got out of the patients, as III
nearly every instance they are DAFT on
only one or two subjects. they are
whimsical about their work, but what the
overseer lacks in quality he Will nave IN
quantity. Many of the patients are pos
sessed of a distinct aversion to work ana
of enough cunning to refuse 10 lspor Od
the ground that they are patients ana
cannot be forced to do so. There is Sald
to he some legal merit in this contention,
hut diplomacy is all-effective in dealng
with this class of unfortunates: When
strike seemed to be imminent the induce
ment of extra tobacco was held out as an
Incentive for industry among those al
fiicted with laziness. Tobacco generally
had the desired effect, and the 'k1ckers
would resume their spasmodic efforts at
The idea of taking 100 crazy men through
the city and working them in the open IS
not relished by those who RESIDE near me
farm, or even in this city; but the poaro
of managers will probably SURROUND them
with such safeguards as to obVlate any
excuse for a public protest. The under
taking is at best an experiment, ana no
one EXCEPT a few of the asylum directors
seems to anticipate that the farm VIII
reduce the asylum expenses TO any nouce-
abie degree. The only benefit will be IN
sunnlving work for patients. The phySl-
clans as a result of experience ana op-
servafion. have found that work has peen
beneficial in many cases that have come
under their care. But the experiment,
from a financial point of view, is at least
worth watching.