The National tribune., 1907-07-04

PET PIGS-GUD
who work In the industrial building will
make their home. 1t is expected that
these industrial cottages will be colo
nized by the tougher, less hopeful class
of boys committed to the institution.
Closer supervision will be maintained in
the case of these than in that of the
others.
On either side of this group of in
dustrial colonies are located the farm
colonies, to each of which is assigned
the cultivation of a farm of at least SO
acres; in some instances more than SO,
especially in the case of colonies OF
larger boys. The boys living in these
farm colonies are accorded the great
est possible freedom. While they may
not leave their own farm without per-
mission, within the limits of that farm
they come and go as do the boys at
home. A boy with a team may be
working at a distance from the super
visor and the other boys of the colony;
he may go to mill. to the blacksmith
shop or elsewhere. A group of boys
may be sent to a distance from the cot
tage to do needed farm or other work.
In connection with each farm cottage
is a barn having accommodations for
eight head of cattle, three horses and Il
dozen sheep. 1t has its own tool room,
hay loft and grain bin. Besides the
barn there will be a hennery and
piggery connected with each farm.
Orchards have been set out which
CONAN all kinds of orchard fruit
that can be grown in this latitude, to-
gether with the necessary small fruits
for the supply of family Of q. Each
colony also has its own garden, where
an opportunity is afforded for the pro-
duction of all kinds of garden vege-
tables. 1t will be readily understood
that under such conditions where the
labor of the boys practically results in
supplying their own food, much rich
er, purer. more diversified dietary can
be provided. When each colony pro-
duces its own milk, butter. cheese, beef,
pork and mutton, its fruits and garden
products. the boys domiciled there may
live on the fat of the land, and only
their own neglect or laZiness may say
them nay.
1t is at once evident that this organ
iZation of the institution tends to de-
velop the idea of colony responsibility
and possession, and has the effect of
arousing and holding the interest of the
boys in their homes. In effect. each
colony constitutes almost an entirely
separate institution under one general
management.
Classifying the Boys.
In classifying the boys at the new
institution, they are first divided into
two groups, puberty being the dividing
line. Experience has proved that it is
unwise for the two classes thus indicat-
ed to ningle. Boys under that age re-
quire different management, are sus-
ceptible to different incentives and
should be separated from those that
have passed that stage of their develop
ment. These two general groups are
subdivided on the basis of mentality. A
great many dull and unidentified boys
are committed to institutions for deiin-
quents who are really proper subjects
for custodial care of an institution for
the feeble-minded or idiotic, but who
have been committed by the courts as
delnquents because of some ofense
against the laws, and it is unfortunate
for boys of this class to be associated
with those who are brighter; unfortun-
ate for both classes, because the bright
boys prey upon the dull ones and will
cause them TO commit offenSes which
the bright ones hesitate to commit, be-
cause they realize the consequence. The
bright boys are again subdivided SO as
to place by themselves the natural lead
ers All these classes above mentioned
being in turn divided into groups of 25
on the basis of their moral character
and in the assignment to cottages, boys
of essentially the same moral status will
be placed together, due regard being
had 10 physical size, thus preventing
very large boys from associating with
those who are much smaller, experience
having shown such associations TO be
unfortunate. Under this system the
evils arising from the coming together
Of boys of all degrees OF moral deprav-
fly are avoided and all the boys living
in a cottage are brought under the in
fiuence of the supervisor and matron
who have charge OF the cottage in
which they live. without any Of the dis
tracing ascendancy of older or stronger
minded boys.
1t is an undoubted fact that suggeS-
tion enters much more largely into char
acter building than most of us arc
aware, Mr.. Briggs declares. and he be-
lieVes that its potency has not been rec
Ognized hitherto to the extent il should
be- either in the church, the school or
the institution. Few characters can
withstand the effect of persistent evil
suggestion, and fortunately very few can
remain unmoved by the reiterated sug-
gestion of right action. 1t is expected
that supervisors and matrons will make
use of this valuable agent, for the moral
welfare of the 25 boys living in the
home is in their keeping, and in this
work with their boys every opportunity
Is afforded for the individuality of the
supervisor and matron to manifest it
self. They are unhampered by rules
other than the most fundamental. Their
Importance lin the eyes of the boys is
enhanced as far as possible by the SUI
perintendent and Managers, and that
their influence is paramount and exert