The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1914-06-26

been established In various parts Of the country.
The first meeting to effect organization for this
school was held on March 21. 1914 Boston was then
but a town. In 1t boys bereft by death of one
or both parents, and outside Of the work carried
on by the various charitable organizations, ade
quate relief available
In the beginning the management provided prtncL
pally shelter and food An asylum established
in the West end Boys from five to twelve years OF
age gathered there, and were sent to the pub
lio 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. ap-
prentced 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 it's object to be something more
than providing shelter. II felt the boy to attain
better results in manhood should receive Industrial
training That the Boston Farm school, which
In 1882 secured a charter. In few months the sum
OF $4,000 raised In Boston for the school and
Thompsons island. containing 157 acres, bought
for $4,000
Two years later the asylum at the North end sold
It's property there. and making union with the
Boston Farm school, removed to Thompson's island.
For nearly three-quarters Of century the name was
the Boston Asylum and Farm school, and agricul.
ture formed the basis of the educational system
With isolation that made conditions almost
attracted to the school. and It quietly pursued
its unique work a private school for worthy boys
Of limited means.
About ten years ago. more truly to describe its
present functions, the name changed by the
legislature to the Farm and Trades school.
The school Is supported by endowments, tut
ton fees and subscriptions It's vested funds
amount to nearly $250,000 but the income from
this and tuition leaves a deficit Of nearly
$4,000 a year, which is made up by subscrip-
tions. Tuition fees amount to about $4,000
year The annual expenses are about $36.00O
Provision is made for 100 boys. whose eligbil-
! ty for admission requires them to be between
! ten and fourteen years Of age, OF good moral
! character. in fair physical condition and who
not lower than the sixth grade in grammar school.
Recommendations required from the family
physician, a clergyman and from three or four
persons OF recognized standing in the community.
Admissions made four times a year Only
boys whose recommendations satisfactory are
admitted and II on trial. boy proves to be un-
fitted for the school, he is not allowed to remain.
After admission the school furnishes everything
needed for the boy-clothing, shelter, subsistence.
medical attendance and trade opportunities and
moral discipline ;
The school aims to ft the boy for higher pur-
suits. and upon completing the course at school.
TO place him either in a higher school or In q
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-
ton permitted practical instruction In the use
and management OF boats, the first enrichment OF
the curriculum occurred in 1857, when brass
band organized and has been In existence
since.
II is said to be the oldest boys band In the
country and is 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 offices
manual training outfits and woodworking lathes
Here the first soyd lessons given, so far
as known, in this country.
Interest In these several branches was greatly
stimulated, and the school course was so changed
to permit almost daily lessons in carpentry
and printing, while ordinary school work still
continued.
. Today instruction is given on the following sub
ects: Preparation Of the soil. planting OF seed.
cultivation harvesting and rotation OF crops, cul-
tivation OF fruits and OF orchard setting out
and caring for trees and shrubs. testing and Sc
ecting 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. ofhce
work the handling OF boats and the whole realm
! of household duties