188 
Furmivg and Agricultural Training in 
" Farming is undoubtedly one of the best occupations for the improvement 
of the boys, but we have no means at our disposal here to enable it to be a 
means of future advancement in life. 
" I cannot readily answer the last question. My own idea is that the two 
things can be well combined, and might help each other. But it can easily 
be answered by comparing the ages at which boys at a Reformatory pass 
a particular standard as compared with boj's at a Board School, making 
allowance, of course, for their ignorance (or otherwise) when they tirst come 
to the Reformatory. 
" Hexrt N. Ellacomce, 
"Hon. Secretary, 
" Bitton Vicarage, Bristol^ 
The garden attached to this school is the site of an old brick- 
field, and one of the most unpromising places imaginable. It 
has been made at great labour by carting soil upon the bare 
subsoil. The 25 boys employed to work in it are generally the 
smallest and weakest, the object being to give them strength 
and stamina. Until the present year, a considerable proportion 
of the land was in corn-crops, but the new gardener has it all in 
vegetables, chiefly potatoes, and the several varieties of the 
cabbage-tribe, and a few fruit-bushes. As he says that there 
is a good market in Bristol for everything he can grow, it 
is evident that with a superabundance of labour the receipts 
should be greatly increased under this system. In 1884, H.M. 
Inspector found 16 boys^ in Standard Five, 29 in Standard 
Four, 28 in Standard Three, and 36 each in Standards Two 
and One. 
VII. — Herts Refoematory School, near Ware. 
" The school is certified to receive 50 boys, and the average number |is 
about 45. None are taken under 12 years of age, or for a period of less 
than 3 years ; sentences of 5 years are preferred. The Committee prefer 
boys who have been convicted more than once. The Committee take every 
opportunity to procure their employment on licence before their term of 
detention expires, and do all in their power to provide them with suitable 
employment, by emigration or otherwise, at their final discharge. Agricul- 
tural operations are used as a means of employment. Small pecuniary rewards 
are given to boys for industry and good conduct, but they are not paid for 
their labour. They have small plots of garden ground, which they cultivate 
as a recreation. 
" The farm consists of about 8 acres of grass-land, about 30 acres of arable, 
and about 1 acre of garden. The rent is 53?. 4s. for the whole, and the ]iay- 
mcnts for labour 18Z. IGs. Gd. to boys as above; 281. 13s. lid. to outside 
labourers and for team hire; and 62/. 8s. to bailiff. The four-course shift is 
adopted in the cultivation of the laud, and the live-stock consists of 1 horse, 
4 cows, 2 sows, and various pigs, as well as fowls. 
