The Elbert County tribune., 1914-06-26

llJl work and has set the pace for all In
stitutions of like nature which have
been established in various parts of the country.
The first meeting to effect organization for this
school was held on March 81 1914 Boston was then
but town. In It were boys bereft by death Of one
or both parents, and outside of the work carried
by the various charitable organizations no ade-
quate relief available
In the beginning the management provided princl
pally shelter and food An asylum established
In the West end Boys from FIVE to twelve years of
age we're gathered there. and sent to the pub.
lie schools for education. Six years later larger
quarters secured at the North end In the for.
mer residence of the colonial governor sir William
Phipps
As soon after the age OF twelve as was possible
the boys, following the custom of the day were an
prenticed to farmers tradesmen In other parts OF
the state, and there the responsibility of the school
for the time ended
Meanwhile another institution was organized
which conceived its object to be something more
than providing shelter. 1t felt the boy to attain
better results in manhood should receive Industrial
training. That was the Boston Farm school, which
In 1882 secured charter In a few months the sum
OF $4,000 was raised in Boston for the school and
Ihompsons Island. containing 157 acres was bought
for $4,000
Two years later the asylum at the North end so,d
,ss m properly there and. making union with the
BOSTON Farm school. removed to Thompson's island
For nearly threequarters of century the name was
the Boston Asylum and Farm school and asricul
ture formed the basis of the educational system
With an isolation that made conditions almost
ideal for carrying its purpose little attent,o,
was attracted to the school. and 1t quietly pursued
It's unique work as private school for worthy bovs
of limited means.
About ten years ago. more truly to descrbe ,ts
present functions. the was changed by the
legislature to the Farm and Trades school
ne school is supported by endowments tut.
ton fees and subscriptions Its vested funds
amount to nearly s250.000 but the income from
this source and tuition leaves a deficit of nearly
szo'ooo a year, which is made up by subscrp-
Tons Tuition fees amount to about $4,000 a
n nb
Provision is made for 100 boys whose elisibi,
ity Tor admission requires them to be between
ten and fourteen years OF age OF good moral
character, in fair physical condition and who are
not lower than the sixth grade In grammar school
recommendations required from the family
PHYSICIAN, q clergyman aud from three or four
persons of recognized standing in the community
Admissions are made four times year Only
boys whose recommendations are satisfactory are
admitted and. III on trial. hoy proves to be un
htted for the school. he is not allowed to remain
After admission the school furnishes everything
needed for the bry-clothing, shelter, subsistence
medical attendance and trade opportunities and
moral discipline.
The school aims to fit the boy for higher pur
suits and, upon completing the school,
to place him either in higher school or In a
position for which he seems adapted.
As the general farm work necessarily in.
cluded some instructions In certain trades and
as carpentering and painting and the island loca
tion permitted practical instruction in the use
the curriculum occurred In 1857 whe1. brass
band was organized and has been in existence
since.
1t is said to be the Oldest boys band In the
country and is one of the distinctive features OF
the school.
In 1882 the educational system was greatly
broadened by the erection and equipment OF
Gardner hall which contained a printing Office
manual training outfits and woodworking lathes
Here the first sloyd lessons given, so far
as known. in this country.
interest In these several branches was greatly
stimulated and the school course was SO changed
ms to permit almost daily lessons in carpentry
and printing while ordinary school work still
continued
Today instruction is given the following sub
5ects Preparation of tho soil planting of seed
cultivation. harvesting ana rotssscu of crops cu-
tvation OF fruits ami ears u orcnard setting out
and caring for trees and shrubs. testing and se-
lectng seed. mixing of chemicals for fertilizers
meteorology, vocal and instrumental music sloyd
mechanical drawing cabinet work. wood turning,
carpentry. blacksmithing machine work In metal
printing and binding, painting. cobbling office
work. the handling of boats and the whole realm
of household duties.