THE WORK ON SLEIGHTON FARM.
Mrs. Falconer was called upon to explain the methods on Sleighton Farm. She made an earnest plea that women or girls who are prisoners be allowed to work in the open air. Although all the inmates of the institution have a thorough course in housekeeping and sewing, she was sure that these are not invariably the best occupations for women. She stated that there was no room for question that country life and sounds and smells and diverse occupations were the most helpful for such weak sisters as fall by the wayside. No other work is so suitable to children or adapted so well to their powers as work out in the open. She had felt it essential to have a woman of ability and character to have general management of the farm work, inasmuch as many of those committed to her care were, in a sense, oversexed and they needed to be associated constantly with good women. This was a rule in the selection of all her assistants. As far as possible, men are eliminated from the activities on the farm, so that these girls come entirely under the wholesome influence of young women specially trained for the various kinds of employment on the farm. The enthusiasm and enjoyment connected with the varied occupations on the farm have strong psychological value.
As “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy,” so the same method would have the same effect on “Jill.” Hence, a reasonable amount of amusement is encouraged. Whatever gift any girl may have, in the line of song or music or recitation, is developed. They have various entertainments in their assembly room.
In consequence of the present stringency and high prices, she had been obliged to change the menu, and the results have been carefully observed. For instance, meat has been almost entirely dropped from the bill of fare, and so far there has been no indication that the health of her community had suffered. There is no tea or coffee for any one on the place, nor stimulant of any sort. They have abundance of milk, cottage-cheese, cocoa, cereals and all the dry and green vegetables they can eat. The ration has been scientifically studied so that the physical requirements may be satisfied. This report was exceedingly interesting to the wardens present, all of whom have been confronted with the serious nature of the food problem.
This summer a few of the girls in groups of four or five have been paroled to work on some neighboring farms. They receive twenty cents an hour for their labor and are allowed to retain their wages. In some instances they have gone without supervision. The results have been very satisfactory.
Miss Farrall, Head Farmer, spoke of the pleasure of the children in propagating the plants in the hot house, in setting out the plants, in watching their growth and in all the varied agricultural processes. Besides the actual work on the farm the girls had been employed in road-building, even the concrete work being done by them. They have installed a new drainage system. They are trained in the care of hogs and poultry, and on the newly acquired farm adjacent to their premises they hope soon to develop some dairy industry. The children have done nearly all the work on a fifty-acre garden. They have already gathered 1100 bushels of potatoes, and the harvesting of the crop is not complete. They have planted, cultivated and husked seventeen acres of corn. They are raising turnips, parsnips, salsify, beets, carrots, and have succeeded, in spite of the worms, in harvesting 1000 heads of cabbage. They had used their green house this season in drying large quantities of vegetables for winter use.
THE INTERMISSION.
In the intermission between the afternoon and evening sessions there were three events of considerable interest.
- A baseball game, in which a nine from the visitors contested with a nine of the school. No game of the year anywhere elicited more enthusiasm. The score was 15 to 12 in favor of the home nine. In the last inning the visitors, who had been somewhat ahead, went “all to pieces,” and the 500 girls retired from the bleaching grounds to their quarters exultant over the famous victory of the nine of Sleighton Farm.
- A delicious supper served by the girls of the farm.
- A charming vocal concert given by the girls in the Assembly Room, under the direction of Mrs. Falconer.
At 8.30 in the evening the conference assembled in the reception room of the Administration Building. Consideration of the bill providing for the establishment of nine industrial farms was resumed.