Year: 1879

S-OA'~'

 TThe New York Herald has sent correspon- dent to the various County Poor Houses of the State, and is publishing notes of what was there seen. As the description of one county house answers for all, we publish the report of the Broome County Farm, that our readers may see how the pauper poor are provided for.-ED.1

 am glad visited the Broome County Almshouse, especially so after repeated inquiry had assured me that it is cue of the best in the State. It is in decided contrast to the wretched structures at Schoharie and Cooperstown, which I have already described, but there are even here things which should not be. made careful and thorough inspec- ton of the entire series of buildings this afternoon and will tell just what saw.

 The road to the Poor Farm follows the west bank of the river, up stream, from the Main street bridge, past the Dwight Park and cottages. It is located about three miles from the city, and lies at the base of the range of hills which mark out the limits of the valley. The drive is pleasant one to such persons as are making the journey with the ex- pectation of speedily returning. I guided the horses head into the lane leading up to the houses, and before reaching the yard had time sufficient to take good look at the place. The main building, Of red brick, is two stories in height and possibly eighty feet long. The large and comfortable barn is placed to the right of the lane by which we reach the buildings. have already, I believe, noticed the fact that barns at tached to the poor farms are generally very good. Ia the rear of the principal building is a row of wooden cottages, ending in brick house of two stories, which soon learn is the ward where the insane women are kept.

 A VALUABLE GUIDE.

 Having hitched my horse, I sought the keeper, Or. Hall, whose name I had learned at the livery stable, and, with out telling him who was, expressed a desire to see the institution. Fortunately he was very busy, and at my suggestion handed me over to young attendant, very pleasant and intelligent assistant in the insane ward. It is very safe to say that saw much more than I would have succeeded in seeing had I been hastily shown through the establishment by the keeper himself. We will go right through with him and let him tell the story:-

 s'This wing of the main building is devoted to the women, said my cicerone, as he led me into the large brick structure adjoining the keepers resi- denee. "On the ground floor we keer the very old ladies. This is their sitting room," leading me into an apartment about fifteen by twenty-five at the end of the building. G We think it right to give the old women the very best the place affords in the way of quarters and pro visions. You will see they have z tablecloth. Of course, to some of them tablecloth means very little, but tc the majority it recalls other days, and makes them think that the world hat not entirely forgotten them. They bavs plates, even, you will see. Real plates too," (taking badly chipped piece O old white ware up and showing it tt 1oe). "In some parts of the establish ment we give them tin dishes because you see, they would not appreciat china and would break it out of shee wantonness.

 CARE OF THE OLD WOMEN,

 "You find six old ladies here. Ther are some others, but they are out taking the air and sunshine. The room is vel warmed, as you observe. and a pip from this large stove supplies hot air t. the room above. The beds are no bette and no worse than those provided b other counties. They have iron strip instead of cording, which conduces t cleanlfsess. A great deal depends upo the persSn who occupies the bed as re gards it's appearance. See the contrast that one in the corner is smooth an well arranged, while this one here, nea tbe door, is hastily and carelessly mad ur. - We bring their dinner here t them, and it is real delight 10 Sc them eat." He rattled on so that feared to interrupt him with question:

 THE IDIOT CHILDREN.

 Thence he led the way into the rool where there were several little childre1 some of them very bright and prett, Two women were busily engaged

 ewing and third was rocking cradl