The Indianapolis journal., 1903-03-01
A FARM FOR BOYS.
Philanthropic Institution Whose
Plan Is Worth Considering.


Seymour H. Stone. in Charities IN. W
Located in the famous Berkshire hills,
one thousand feet above the sea. in sight of
Perry's peak, and overlooking Queechy
lake, the Berkshire industrial farm is an
ideal spot for an industrial school for boys.
In 1886 farm of eight hundred acres was
purchased from the Canaan Shakers by
Frederick Gordon Burnham OF Morristown,
N j. That same year 1t was incorporated
as the Burnham industrial farm, but in 1897.
at Mr.. Burnham's request, the name was
changed. The object of the farm is to train
and educate wayward boys from six to six
teen years old. Boys who have so strongly
developed criminal habits as to be deemed
incorrigible are not admitted. The boys do
not govern themselves. but under the
control of a competent superintendent, his
wife, and a corps of carefully selected as
sstants.
The institution is arranged on the cottage
plan. with three cottages, accommodating
about eighty boys. The boys are received at
the farm from three sources: First, from
any committing magistrate in the State of
New York; second, by contract from par
ents or GUARDIANSHIP a great many in
stances residents of other States. and third,
by transfer from institution within the
commonwealth. After much experience, 1t
has been decided to receive boys for three
years, although If committed by a magis-
trate the commitment extends until ma
Jority, and If for any reason boy is dis
charged from the farm before then, he
may be brought back for misbehavior
within that period. None are admitted with
out a certificate of good health from a
physician and it may be said that sickness
is almost unknown at the farm, fact no
doubt attributable to the wholesome out
door life and regularity of habits. Parents
and guardians who are able are required to
pay for the maintenance of their children;
otherwise the institution is supported en-
tirely by voluntary contributions.
The days at the farm filled with we'll
planned work and recreation. From quar-
ter of 9 in the morning until twenty min
utes of IL. half the boys are at school, while
the other half attend to the duties of the
farm. From half past ] until 4 those boys
who were In school In the morning are at
work on the farm, and vice versa. They are
receiving good common-school education,
while, with the assistance of a few en-
ployes, they do all the farm work. Carpen-
try, printing, shoe repairing and sloyd work
are taught, and some of the boys have had
a chance to do little blacksmithing, pipe
fitting and machine work about the place.
A feature of the institution that contributes
largely to Its success. Is a system of credit
known as the mills system. The boys are
divided into three grades-inmates, cadets
and graduates. They can earn promotion
from lower to a higher grade by gaining
credit marks Wh1cn are called mills. EVERY
boy beginS>a as an inmate and an inmate he
must remain for at least six months. If
during this period his conduct has been
such that he has not lost thirty mills per
month, he will be advanced to the next
higher grade, otherwise not. A boy is able
TO earn ten mills per day IL he has per-
feet record in everything. In the cadet grade
a boy must not lose more than twenty
mills in six months in order to gain promo
ton. The honor rank is the graduate grade
and no boy Is eligible to discharge until he
has gained il.
When boy is ready to leave he is either
returned to his parents or a place is found
for him on a farm, in some mercantile es-
tablishment, at trade. He is not lost
sight of after he leaves the farm, for the
superintendent, secretary and other men,
bers of the board strive to keep up cor
respondence with him. Within the past year
some three four hundred letters have
| been sent out making inquiries about these
| graduates. The number of letters as yet re-
| ceived is too limited to justify generaliza-
| tion as to the entire number, but is suffi-
| cient to indicate very gratifying results.
| The New York members of the board make
| IL their business to look after any boy who
goes to the city and to help him find en-
ployment.