202 
Farming and Agricultural Training in 
establishment may be met by the boys themselves, and those 
who elect to go to Canada or Natal are specially instructed in 
order to be able to turn their hands to those trades for their 
own purposes. In these colonies the Philanthropic Society has 
resident agents who not only report on the progress of the " old 
boys," but who also provide for the reception and employment 
of new-comers. The organisation of this Reformatory is upon 
the system founded by M. de Metz at Mettray, which has been 
already described. At Redhill there are five houses ; but they 
are so far apart that the responsible chief has not the same control 
over the " Heads of Houses " as is so easily exercised at the 
French establishment. The general education of the boys re- 
ceives due consideration, and in the winter an additional amount 
of schooling to that provided for by the Act is given. Most of 
the boys at this Reformatory come from the slums of London ; 
and in going over the farm with the excellent Resident Chaplain, 
who is at the head of the whole establishment, I was much 
struck with his intimate knowledge of the career of any boy 
who attracted my attention ; and, at his request, I often tested 
the accuracy of his statements. This personal intercourse with 
such young miscreants, as some of them were, has a great effect 
upon their minds, especially when, as in this case, it is asso- 
ciated with a knowledge of their own language. The Rev. 
Mr. Jackson has been " fond of thieves " all his life, and he 
speaks the " thieves' slang " to all appearance as fluently as the 
Queen's English. 
XV. — Stoke Farm Reformatoky School, Worcestebshiee. 
" There are about 80 boys maintained in this school ; their average age on 
entering is 13, and on leaving 16. Nearly all have been convicted of crime 
more than once before they are received ; three-fourths come from Birming- 
ham, and most of the rest are town boys ; many of them of the ' City arab' 
class. About 75 per cent, turn out well. A considerable number drift into 
the army, which is not encouraged by us. Fam labour from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. 
is used as a wholesome discipline. Boys whose crimes have often arisen from 
idleness and slovenly habits cannot shirk much when they are double digging 
under the eye of a competent man ; and if they can be taught to work steadily, 
a great point has been gained. The physical result of the out-door life, hard 
work, and sufScient food on these hall-starved town boys is most marked. 
We have only had four or five deaths in 30 years. Plots of garden are given 
to the greater number of the boys, being withheld from those whose conduct 
is unsatisfactory. No payment is made to the school inmates employed in 
farm labour. There is no permanent grass. Purely arable land is about 35 
acres in extent ; and garden, more or less mixed with arable and orchard, is 
about 35 acres. The rent paid for 75 acres is 320?. per annum, of which about 
lOOZ. is referred to school premises and four cottages. The bailifif is paid 80/. 
per annum ; two gardeners, 70/. each ; waggoner, 18s. a week ; assistant, 40/. 
and board. The superintendent does the correspondence and book-keeping. 
Bonuses to inmates are trifling in amount. The 35 acres of arable land carry 
