The Denver star., 1917-06-30


Of Youngsters Cultivate lasgs Farm
and Also Learn Trades.
M BY THOMAS J. EDWARDS.
The founding Of the Negro Reforma-
tory association, for the saving of de
linquent boys of the state Of Virginia,
was an idea conceived by DIR. John II.
Smyth in 1898. Most Of our people in
Virginia must be undoubtedly acquaint-
ed with the history Of Mr. Smyth, who
was a lawyer by profession. but was
better publicly known as minister to
Liberia. The last great act Of his
dramatic life was played in the estab-
fishing Of this institution, commonly
called the Negro reformatory. The or
ganization accredited as the first In the
south, was named the Negro RefOrma-
tory association Of Virginia, and DIR.
Smyth was its first president and SO
remained until his death.
1t was in 1907 after Mr.. Coils p.
Huntington had become interested in
DIR. Smyth's idea and had PURGE sed
400 acres Of river bottom land, which
r. turned over to the management of
was placed on a more permanent basis
and a cha rter was obtained. This tract
Of land Is bordered on the northeast
by the Pamunkey river and is located
about two and half miles east Of
Hanover county courthouse. Va.
In the struggle of. the Institution to
its present standing 1t has year by year
gradually received support in the form
Of 25 cents per diem compensation from
the state of Virginia. and some dona-
tions from time to time have come from
both white and colored friends interest
ed by the activities Of the members Of
the board of trustees. The one factor
which is not only giving work and
health to a large number of our boys
throughout the year. but which has
contributed largely to over one-third Of
the support of the Institution, has been
the farm.
The object and purpose Of the institu-
ton, as set forth in its charter, are to
provide q home for the reformation of
male and female children and youths
Of the Negro race Of Virginia, but the
institution has confined its efforts to
the males by teaching them good NOR
ais, the habits of work and the dignity
Of labor by being engag ged in some use
full employment or trade and at the
same time acquire a comprehensive
knowledge Of reading, writing and
arithmetic.
1t is needless to say that in the at
tempt to make a suitable home for
these delinquent boys the diflculty has
been in getting a sympathetic public
ear, in changing the idea that the in
stitution is for punishment, but Is in
tended to give unfortunate boys oe the
state q chance to begin life all over
again.
To be more specific, the fundamental
principles Of the institution are so Op-
Grated as to keep the boys physically
and mentally employed that they may
forget the evil tendencies of the past.
The management is attempting this in
the following effective ways. First, the
farm furnishes to our boys the kind of
work which all boys should know
something about. regardless Of what
may afterward be their pursuit In life.
and offers the chance for a boy to be-
come a self supporting citizen.
The farm furnishes employment to
from 70 to 125 boys. Besides doing the
direct work connected with the cult
vation of the farm over one-third OF
the boys mentioned are employed In
caring for the farm buildings. teams.
cows, sheep. hogs. On the TOO acres Of
tillable land were grown for the year
1915 5000 bushels OF corn, 900 bushels
OF wheat, 500 bushels OF peas, 10 tons
of mixed hay and 5000 pounds of
meat. For the year 1916 we harvested
1900 bushels of corn lover 1000 bush
els OF corn were lost by the overflow
Of the Pamunkey river). sos bushels OF
wheat about the same amount Of hay
made in 1915, about 5000 pounds Of
meat and 400 bushels Of peas.
The returns from the garden for 1915
we're as follows: Seven hundred BUSH
sweet potatoes. 100 bushels OF string
beans. $50 dozen ears of corn. 80 BUSH
els of lima beans none Of these being
included In our canned fruit and vege-
tables, which amounted to about 5000
cans. In 1910 our white potato crop
was 800 bushels. sweet potatoes 400.
Corn, lima beans, squash and toma-
toes were mostly put up In cans, which
amounted to 5,3S1. This enumeration
Of the returns of the farm and garden
IL somewhat an answer as to whether
the farm will ever become self support
ing. But aside from the self support
ing feature It does offer a chance for
wholesome outdoor exercise.
flor tho 70 RIM and rf1oy, tho paxf
place of Importance from the stand.
point Of exercise and training is the
campus. A force OF ten boys is reg,l-
larly employed keeping the grounds
presentabIe. Within two years a drive