6io Journal of Agriculturt.. [n Oct., 1909. 



The work has now been in operation sufficiently long to enable some idea 

 to be formed of its value and possibilities, and, at the request of the 

 Director of Agriculture, this brief outline is submitted for the information 

 of those who are interested in social experiments of the kind. 



The least pessimistic amongst us cannot but see that, if allowed to con- 

 gregate in the larger centres of population, without any definite aim in life, 

 many of this class of lad would drift eventual 1\ into the ranks of the 

 unemployed, even if they did not become associated with the criminal class. 

 The value to the community of each life wiselv diverted from such careers 

 cannot be too highly estimated. The stal)ility of a nation depends as 

 much or more on its realization of a high ideal of citizenship as on its 

 naval supremacy or military prestige. The latter insure safetv from 

 foreign invasions, but in the elevation of the individual, the training in 

 useful productive occupations, and the formation of characters, we are 

 rendering the future our debtors, and helping to raise the alreadv high 

 standard of our nation. 



When We remember that the boys of to-day will be the citizens of 

 to-morrow, we are sure no effort will be begrudged that will insure for the 

 next generation of citizens men of " flexile mu.scles and obedient sinews," 

 trained as expert and up-to-date agriculturists, and having characters and 

 aspirations of the highest. To produce from the raw and somewhat 

 unpromising material with which we have to deal, men with characters of 

 the highest integrity, and workers with skilled hands and intelligent train- 

 ing, was the object of .starting this institution on its present lines. Whether 

 the hopes of those responsible for the innovation have been realized, let 

 those who have seen what has been done testify. 



As may be imagined, the disappointments attending such work as we 

 undertake are manifold and keen. But the successes, of which we have 

 liad our share, far outweigh them, and, while more than compensating us 

 in the present, give us glowing hopes for the future. To gain the confi- 

 dence of .some of these lads is a task that at first .seems insuperable. Many 

 nf them are veritable Tshmaels. who regard every man's hand against them, 

 as they are against every man. A kind word or act is at first looked on 

 with the suspicion that something to .be shunned is at the back of it. 

 Every lad is a law to himself. Thev represent all kinds of training and 

 lack of training. We must have as manv methods as we have bovs. To 

 expect all to fit Procrustes' 'bed is still as disastrous to individuality as it 

 was to stature in the mythical old brigand's dav. 



It is proposed to give some account of the development of these bovs 

 in the physical, educational anrl moral aspects. 



Physical. 



We are fortunate in having, as our medical officer. Dr. Bush, whose 

 practical sympathy with our work is only surpassed by his professional skill 

 and attention. To avoid the introduction of communicable diseases, each 

 boy is taken for a thorough medical overhaul before coming out to the Col- 

 lege. The results of these examinations often reveal hidden and unsus- 

 pected defects which it is desirable should be known before the lad is .set 

 to work. The chief weaknesses expo.sed by the medical examination are 

 the faulty development and poor nutrition of the majority who are sent to 

 us. The following descriptions are from the doctor's official reports : — 

 "Anaemic " ; " development ]X)or " ; " verv small, undersized bov " ; " very 

 poorly developed " ; poor nutrition " ; " nutrition only fair " ; " enlarged 

 heart " ; " heart weakness "" ; " spine curvature "' ; &c. , &c. It .seems sad 



