SECRETARY'S REPORT. 25 



The Committee on Labor also presented the following 



RETORT. 



The Committee on Labor have given as much time and attention to 

 the department committed to them as circumstances would permit. 



It is a portion of farm operations of great importance, in an eco- 

 nomical point of view, as well as to the care and influence over the 

 boys when under the control of our men. 



The rate of wages is necessarily high, in order to command men of 

 ability and character, calculated to improve the moral sense of the 

 boys, and to aid in carrying out the great object of the Trustees — their 

 reformation. 



The men working by the month have boarded at the Institution, as 

 much to the annoyance and inconvenience of the Superintendent and 

 his family as to our own. We have repeatedly been requested to 

 provide some other place for them, and the Trustees have given notice 

 that they cannot board them another season. We have no building 

 at our command in which we can accommodate them. The conven- 

 ience and economy of having the men board with the farmer is so 

 apparent as to need no argument. It is for the Board to determine 

 what measures they will take in relation to this matter. The labor 

 employed on the farm is not only under the control of the farmer, but 

 he contracts with laborers, and discharges them at his pleasure. We 

 know little of them but through him. From the knowledge we have 

 on the subject, Ave think the farmer has been anxious to obtain men 

 who will do justice to the boys as well as perform their part in the 

 field. 



The number of men employed on the farm, exclusive of those em- 

 ployed on permanent improvements, has averaged seven and one-half 

 for eight months from the first of April. 



This included the gardener, who worked by the day, at one dollar 

 and fifty cents, and the farmer. 



The wages given were $16, $18, $20, and $22 per month and board. 



Amount paid monthly hands, ..... 



Mr. Doyle, as gardener, 160 days, at $1.50, . 

 Paid Institution for board of men, ..... 

 Parmer's wages eight months, ..... 

 Boys, average 42 a day, of 6 hours, at 10 cts., for 8 months, 



$3,021 93 



