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cupied for many years as a watering-place.

Among the springs on the premises are the White Sulphur, Chalybeate, Saline Chalybeate, and Magnesia. The buildings were of wood, extensive, but not commodious, or adapted to winter use.

The Trustees appointed Dr. John Nichols, of Chardon, Geauga county, Superintendent, and Mrs. Mary E. Nichols, Matron, for the three years ensuing. The institution was formally opened October 15th, 1869, and the first inmate received the 4th day of November following. The growth from the inception was not rapid, but healthful and satisfactory, and in a little more than three years the Home numbered 153 girls.

At this time (February 24th, 1873,) a disastrous fire destroyed all the buildings occupied upon the premises for their use, and was a serious check upon the progress of the institution, from which it has not fully recovered. Since that time four substantial brick structures have been erected, much better adapted to the purpose designed than their predecessors.

At the opening of the Centennial year there were on the roll, 295; in the Home, 180.

The girls are divided into families of thirty each, and each family under the united care of an Assistant Matron, a teacher, and a housekeeper, where they are thoroughly instructed in domestic economy, needlework, etc. One-half of each day is regularly spent in school, under competent teachers.

The progress of the girls in the different departments of instruction is very encouraging, and the results, as far as attained, quite satisfactory. Full two-thirds of those discharged bid fair for usefulness and respectability.

Some are respectably married, some are in schools fitting theniselves for greater usefulness, while many others are earning honorable competency by useful domestic service

in families. In the estimation of those best qualified to judge, the Home has proved an undoubted success.

The Board of Trustees, as now organized, consists of Frederick Merrick, President, Delaware; Abraham Thomson, Secretary, Delaware; M. F. Cowdery, Sandusky; V. D. . Stayman, Delaware; J. K. Newcomer, Marion.

Superintendent-Dr. John Nichols.
Matron-Mrs. Mary E. Nichols.

OHIO REFORM FARM SCHOOL,

NEAR

LANCASTER, O.

In the year 1856, the Legislature of Ohio, in view of the alarming evils of juvenile delinquency, appointed a commision of three gentlemen-consisting of Hon. Charles Remelin, of Cincinnati, Hon. J. A. Foot, of Cleveland, and J. D. Ladd, Esq., of Steubenville, to visit the Reform Schools and Houses of Refuge of the country, and to report a plan for a Reformatory for the State of Ohio. In the performance of this duty, they visited and carefully examined the Houses of Refuge of the different States, and found them all conducted upon the congregate or walled-in system. One of the Commissioners, Hon. C. Remelin, being called to Europe on private business, devoted much time and care in the examination of the Reformatories of Great Britain, also of the Continent. His visits to the colony of Mettray, in France, the Rauhe Haus, in Germany, and Red Hill, in England, caused him to strongly recommend the adoption of the Family System for the Ohio Reformatory. The other members of the commission readily concurred with Mr. Remelin in his views, and a unanimous report was presented to the Legislature in favor of the system, which was at once adopted by that body, and an appropriation of $15,000 was made, with which the Commissioners were instructed to purchase not less than one thousand acres of land, upon which to establish the school. Addressing themselves earnestly to the work, several localities in different parts of the State, where land was offered, were visited, and after mature deliberation, a tract of 1,170 acres was selected in Fairfield County

and purchased. The Board, in all of their business transactions, had the approval and counsel of Salmon P. Chase, who was then Governor of Ohio.

LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF THE FARM.

The Ohio Reform Farm School is located upon a farm of 1,170 acres, six miles south of Lancaster, Fairfield County, Ohio, and thirty-six miles southeast of Columbus, Ohio. Lancaster is the nearest railway station to the institution, and is reached by the Muskingum Valley and Hocking Valley Railroads, both of which pass through that city. The Farm is situated on the "Hocking Hills," at an elevation of about 600 feet above the Hocking Valley. The climate at this altitude is delightful and healthful, and the scenery is beautiful. The soil is thin and unproductive, being composed of clay and sand, and underlaid at a depth of from six to eight feet with sand-rock. The timber consists mostly of a small growth of pine, oak and chestnut. About one-fourth of the Farm is sufficiently level to admit of cultivation with the plow-the balance consists of bluffs, slopes and ravines-a portion of which may profitably be converted into vineyards. About 500 acres of the land have been cleared, the balance being covered with a thick growth of underbrush and small timber. The Farm, while not productive as a grain and grass producing farm, is very well adapted to the growth of many kinds of fruit, especially the peach. In consequence of the pure, dry atmosphere, grapes of superior quality can also be produced. The orchards, including the vineyards and small fruits, now cover about two hundred and fifty acres, the remainder of the cleared portion being devoted to gardening, the raising of farm products and pasturage. The peach orchard covers 130 acres of land; the apple orchard, 50 acres; pears and cherries, 15 acres; strawberries and other small fruits, 10 acres; and the vineyards, 45 acres. The fruit plantations are enlarged from year to year. Fruit growing, gardening, and the raising of nursery trees has been found very profitable employment for the

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