214 
Farming and Agricultural Training in 
outside the school in the nursery grounds of the Haberdashers' Company, who 
have estates in this part of the county. 
" Elementary education does not suffer at all in such schools as this by its 
combination with practical work. On the contrary, there is a greater de- 
velopment of latent faculties. The rising generation require worh according 
to ability. 
" James Duke, 
" Superintendent, 
" Kent County Industrial School for Boys, Mill Sank, 
Ashford, Kent." 
The school stands on the summit of a hill ; and is entirely 
unprotected from the force of any wind that may happen to 
blow ; the soil is a poor clay, and under the circumstances has 
but one recommendation, viz. that it affords ample means for 
the physical exercise of the boys. The land is kept very clean, 
and every endeavour is made to turn it to the best advantage. 
Strawberries are grown with success, and raspberries are being 
tried. Black currants were not found profitable. One diffi- 
culty has been to find a market sufficiently near at hand for 
what may be termed " fancy " products ; therefore the question 
of the most profitable means of using the boys' labour has been 
very difficult of solution. The milk of the 13 cows is chiefly 
used in the establishment, either as milk or butter, but a small 
surplus is sold. The boys buy milk in addition to the quantity 
allowed to them. The cow-stalls were a model of cleanliness, 
and reminded me of North Holland. The education of the 
boys suffers, according to the Inspector, from insufficient teaching 
power. 
III. — Bolton and County of Lancaster Certified 
Industrial School. 
"Boys are admitted under the Industrial Schools Act, 1866, and also 
under the Elementary Education Act, 1876. The average number maintained 
during 1884 was 189"6. The ages vary from 6 years to 13. Average age on 
admission during the last 8 years has been 10^. Average age on discharge 
during the same period was 14 j years. The boys are chiefly those who through 
their surroundings are liable to fall into crime. Many have been chargec^ with 
offences punishable with imprisonment, but, the charges being waived, they 
have been ordered by the magistrates to be detained in an Industrial School. 
From 80 to 90 per cent, of the lads turn out satisfactorily, and settle down 
to honest industrious habits. 
" About a dozen boys are constantly employed on the farm, in tending the 
cattle, horses, and pigs ; in working the land ; and in draining, fencing, digging, 
and cultivating it. The land attached to the scliool is poor, and is brought 
under spade-cultivation for the purpose of improving its quality, and of laying it 
down with a better root, in small quantities at a time. The farming opera- 
tions here are never undertaken as a recreation, but because they alford 
healthy and invigorating emjiloyment, and for instruction in a useful branch 
of industry, as well as to supply milk and vegetables to the Institution. The 
reward sclieme estabhshed in the school applies to all the industries carried 
