The Oskaloosa herald., 1913-07-31
MUNICIPAL FARMING
One of the Various Suggestions for
Working Prisoners.

There have been various sugges-
tons made as to how best to employ
the prisoners in the county jails of
the country. Students of the prob
lem have agreed that idleness is a bad
thing for the prisoners, but there are
sometimes objections made when
methods of work are suggested. Bur.
Ilington is employing its prisoners on
public work, in cutting down streets.
The plan has been a success and much
money has been saved.
Boone and Story counties are going
to be the first in the state to use con-
vict labor on their country roads.
These counties were prompt to get
into the game and will receive some
federal aid In their road building. By
and by other counties will be arriving
at the conclusion that they can do any,
thing that Boone and Story counties
can do, and then in a little while that
county will be the exception and will
be the subject of all sorts of comment
that is doing no permanent work on
her roads. AS the work of making
the dirt roads better progresses, the
facts are developed that the work is
Is by no means cheap. Hence there
will be many who will give time and
attention to permanent road construc-
ton and who will discover that no.
body will be hurt by such work, while
very many will benefit by it.
It appears that Columbus, o., is to
try a novel plan, namely, the operat-
ing of a municipal plan.
Columbus owns large farm south
of the city limits. Until recently this
farm was leased to a tenant, but the
recent floods wiped out the farmer
and the city had to relieve him of
the terms OF the lease. 1t was then
that the plan was suggested to the
officials of the department Of public
service that the city try Its hand at
running it's own farm. 1t was early
determined that hog raising would be
the best thing to go into at this time,
and a large herd of hogs was con-
tracted for.
Now Columbus, which is always do
ing something progressive, has one of
the best systems of free municipal
garbage collection service in the coun-
try, according to experts. Heretofore,
this garbage has been disposed of in
various ways. From now on 1t will
be taken to the city hog farm to fat
ten the city hogs.
Thirty-five or forty of the best be-
haved prisoners at the city jails have
been chosen to take the place OF the
l"farm hands" Under the charge OF
a deputy who has experience in farm
ing, these prisoners have been put to
work building new sheds, barns and
fences. When they finished this con-
struction they were set at placing
leighty.seven acres of the farm under
cultivation. 1t was realized that the
garbage alone wouldn't be enough to
fatten the hogs for market, and fifty
two acres OF land we're planted IN
corn. 1t was also decided that mere
lily the care of the hogs wouldn't Keep
the thirty-five or forty privileged pris-
oners busy. Therefore, they have
put in twelve acres of potatoes, three
acres of beans, eight of alfalfa, ten oil
clover and two of tomatoes. From
the vegetables planted, the ofiicials
believe they will be able to supply all
the workhouse prisoners and the in
mates of somewhat similar institu
lions. All Of which will greatly re
duce the cost of the municipal gov
eminent of maintaining its institu
| tons.