The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1909-05-22
THE ASYLUM INVESTIGATION.
EXAMINATION OF FARM MAN.
AGEMENT MADE TUESDAY
Detalls Were Gone Into-Mr. Bunch
Explains Working of His Depart
ment and Gives Some Comparative
Figures.

nearly three hours of the legislative
committee in charge Of Investigations
at the State Hospital for the Insane
yesterday was devoted exclusively to
the examination Of two witnesses. Mr..
j. w. Bunch, who has been treasurer
and in charge of the farm work of the
institution for about 10 years, and Mr..
L. r. Hedgepath, who has charge of
the dairy and superintends the milk
ing. one of the departments about
which specific complaints have been
made, concerning the cleanliness.
The testimony of Mr.. Bunch was
very interesting. It related to the de-
tails of the farm work, the profits
made, description of the method of
obtaining supplies and just how much
was saved by the institution.
On examination by DR.. julius Tay-
lor, a member Of the board of regents,
1t was brought out that about $4,000
profit was made on a farm of about
2SI acres last year, this not including
deductions for taxes. and other costs
that State institution does not have
to pay. "a
Mr.. Bunch also presented a table
showing the cost per capita from 1889
up to the present.
The testimony of Mr.. Hedgepath
who has charge Of the dairy and SUI
perintends the milking, which is done
by the patients, was to the effect that
the charges as to uncleanliness were
unfounded. Mr.. Hedgepath entered
into details as to the management OF
the department.
The testimony Of Mr.. Bunch was
along the lines suggested by questions
from the committee to show the
growth in this particular department.
In 1891 $50 bushels Of corn was
raised. as against $500 bushels last
year. Pork and bacon were produced
amounting to $1.644 in 1908, as
against 1921 in 1891. The milk Is
years ago was Y valued ct about s4,o0o
and the output is now valued at about
$1S,1SS; the vegetables in 1891 were
valued at about $4,000. and this year
arc valued at about $1s,4O5.
Mr.. Bunch explained that there
were about 400 hogs on hand and a
large supply of oats and corn was on
hand after the institution has been
supplied.
The home raised corn meal he re-
garded as more wholesome and much
better.
AS to the milking, it was done by
patients. There were cement floors,
secured once each day. The mixers
washed their hands and washed the
cows.
Replying to Mr.. Harrison he said
that there had been a strike some
time ago. With the hired men they
could not be forced to bathe and
many Of them were diseased. He
thought patient labor better. These
were paid 81 per month.
He thought it impossible from an
economic standpoint to raise wheat
About $500 worth of fertilizers were
used. the rest being furnished by the
darm. The hogs We're fed from the
swill from the institution. He farmed
on the extensive system to supply the
institution.
Replying to question from Mr.
Harrison he thought conditions might
be better with larger farm, say L.
800 acres, averaging one acre per pa
tient, provided the land was good
land. From an economic standpoint
II would be better, with prospects for
turther enlargement. With a refrig-
Granting plant he could supply fresh
meat at any time.
Last year over $1,000 was spent for
Ice. 1t cost about 81 per ton to pro-
duce Ice and plant, on an estimate
~'>-Ni SSoiS dSO, WOulQ cost about
$4,000 Since then it was cheaper.
ne thought under that plan, with
milk and meat stored in this place.
aDout a pound or two pounds of ice
Per capita would be ample The total
cost. outside of the actual price of
production of ice, would be about Sc :
600. The plant was an actual neces-
sity.
Mr.. Hedgepath was in charge of
the dairy and the patients were Sc
iected from the negro male ward. He
ala not think they were as dirty as
the hired men formerly employed
were. The white daryman looked af-
ter the cleanliness. report was sent
IN each month. a report was made
81,