Reformatory and Industrial Schools. 
221 
boys leave the school on licence some months before their sentences expire. 
Our boys work under the half-time system, viz., the school is divided into two 
sections, one section is at work half the day, the other section in school, and 
vice versa. AVe have a mark system and a system of rewards. Nearly all 
boys are able to earn a small amount as rewards. The farm consists of about 
35 acres of permanent grass, and about 10 acres of arable land, including about 
an acre for kitchen-garden purposes. The county has recently concluded the 
purchase of this land. From tis. to 8s. per month is paid to the boys working 
on the farm, i.e. that amount is about the average (total) divided. One labourer 
is paid \l. per week, and a man and his wife to look after cattle, dairy, &c., 
are paid 27s. per week. About 4 or 5 acres of oats are grown every year, the 
remainder of the arable land being potatoes, swedes, carrots, &c. The carrots 
our boys wash and bunch, and we send them to Hanley Market, finding a ready 
sale. There are 2 horses on the farm, 5 cows, 2 stirks, 2 calves, 10 pigs, 
and IG couple fowls. 
" The live-stock sold in 1884 realised 56Z. 3s. ; that supplied to the school, 
39?. 14s. ; butter, 36?. 9s., sold ; supplied, 22/. Os. ; milk supplied, 27?. 5s. M. ; 
vegetables sold, 81?. 6s. 3c?. ; supplied, 59?. 5s. ; making a total of 322?. 2s. 11c?. 
for farm produce, in addition to herbage for other departments charged, 
75?. 13s. The farm-buildings are built of stone ; they are small, but suitable 
and convenient. 
"Nearly all the boys on admission are put to farm and garden work 
before being put to trades, &c. The outside work is better for health, gives 
a good appetite, has a wholesome effect on mind and body, and hardens the 
constitution. Some of the boys take to farm-work on leaving the school. Our 
land is very cold and poor ; 1 suppose we are in about the bleakest part of the 
county, consequently very late with crops. 
"As far as my experience goes, I do not think elementary education suffers 
at all by its combination with practical work. On the other hand, I think it 
has just the opposite effect. Working as we do under the half-time system, 
I do not hesitate to say that we compare most favourably in our results with 
the Board Schools in the district. 
" Bekjamin Horth, 
" Superintendent, 
" Staffordshire Certified Industrial Schooly 
Werrington, Stoke-on-Trent" 
Every arrangement of this scbool is kept in a high state 
of efficiency, but from an agricultural point of view its 
position is as undesirable as can well be imagined. Soil, 
situation, and climate are all against a good agricultural return. 
A moory soil upon a clay subsoil, in a high and exposed 
situation, between five and six miles from a railway station, may 
be a combination of advantages from a Reformatory point of 
view, but not otherwise. Still, the most is made of possibilities, 
although the peaty soil, notwithstanding dressings of lime, con- 
tinues to produce club in the cabbage and its allies, finger-and- 
toe in turnips, and to make it almost impossible to grow 
onions. Carrots are found to be the most paying crop, as they 
suit the soil and climate, and find a ready sale at Stoke and 
Hanley. They are pulled, washed, and bunched at the school 
one or two days before they are sent to market in charge of 
a member of the staff and a couple of the boys. . Sold retail by 
