DELAWARE COUNTY ALMSHOUSE, DELHI, N. Y.
GEORGE B. SMITH, Superintendent.

This almshouse is pleasantly located, a short distance from Delhi, in a situation of great natural beauty. All the buildings are kept in good repair and are well painted inside and outside. Steel ceiling in the dining-room and a milk cooler are the recent improvements; and in addition material is now on hand for the extension of the steel ceiling to the other rooms.

A well kept dairy is connected with this institution, and as a consequence the inmates receive butter and milk at every meal. There are 42 cows which belong to the institution, and from these during the last year $1,000 worth of milk was sold to a neighboring creamery.

MADISON COUNTY ALMSHOUSE, EATON, N. Y.

S. A. CURTIS, Superintendent.

At the time of the last visitation the grounds and buildings were found in a commendable degree of cleanliness. Some useless small buildings which had long encumbered the grounds

near the building devoted to men were removed during the year. a new corn crib was erected, and the telephone at last installed. It is expected that in the near future a new laundry with proper machinery will be purchased, as a committee of the board of supervisors has the matter under consideration.

Twenty-eight cows furnish milk for the institution, and all the products of the dairy are used for the benefit of the inmates, which is a proof that so far as diet is concerned the inmates are well cared for.

The former asylum building, which was renovated last year. was not occupied up to the time of the preparation of this re port, but it is expected that soon it will be again put into service.

OTSEGO COUNTY ALMSHOUSE, COOPERSTOWN, N. Y.

A. W. WEBER, Superintendent.

This institution is one of the oldest in the State. The main building is of stone and is two stories in height, with a basement. To the north of this main structure stands another stone building of the same height, used as the women's dormitory. The men have a three-story wooden building, with an addition. All the buildings are only in fair condition, needing many repairs to floors and walls.

A recent improvement was in the way of plastering in the men's buildings. Besides this a new shingle roof was put on one building.

The rooms in the stone building are generally low and dark. There is a lack of sufficient available space for the dining-room, and probably it would be economy to reconstruct the stone building so as to secure sufficient space for dining-room purposes. To do this, however, will require the erection of a suitable building for administrative purposes, as there is no room to be spared from the dormitories. By using the space occupied as quarters by the superintendent and family, and providing for him in a new building, a dining-room could be constructed. Some further improvement should also be made in the matter of fire protection.

SCHUYLER COUNTY.

J. H. SHULENBURG, Superintendent.

Schuyler county continues to maintain its poor by arrange ments with families as heretofore. There is neither town nor county almshouse, and as a consequence the poor maintained at public expense are scattered very widely. The county poor are supposed to be under the close and constant observation of the county superintendent, but owing to the fact that they are so widely distributed and cared for in so many different places, they are seen very seldom. This is apt to lead to neglect, for unless the persons who contract to board the poor are under

observation and feel that they are likely to be visited frequently, their personal interest may lead them to save money at the expense of those placed under their care.

The reasons for the establishment of a county almshouse have been set forth at length many times. There is a growing feeling in Schuyler county that there should be no further delay in the matter. The board of supervisors has talked about a county almshouse on a number of occasions, but up to the present no official action has been taken. Perhaps the necessary

steps will be taken in the year 1902.

TIOGA COUNTY ALMSHOUSE, OWEGO, N. Y.

DEWITT C. CRANCE, Keeper.

This almshouse is composed of a group of separated buildings, all of which are not in actual service. They are in fair repair, and some improvements to them have been made lately.

There is a small dairy in connection with the institution, and its products are given to the inmates. The general dietary is satisfactory, and the inmates were found at the time of inspec tion contented and well cared for. Among the inmates there are seven feeble-minded and idiotic persons.

The general order and cleanliness of the almshouse is deserving of mention. The greatest need is in the matter of better drainage and a safer illuminant.

TOMPKINS COUNTY ALMSHOUSE, ITHACA, N. Y.

DAVID BOWER, Superintendent.

The main building of the group composing the almshouse of Tompkins county is of brick, the superintendent's house being in front of it and the women's building in the rear.

latter are frame structures.

Both of the

Recently a one-story building was erected for service as a morgue; an inmate did all the work upon this structure.

A steam pump is greatly needed for this institution so as to furnish lifting power for the water.

The hospital is in the brick building and contains accommodations for about 23 patients.

There is a large and fertile farm connected with the almshouse, and most of the work upon it is done by the inmates.

Great improvement was noted in the matter of cleanliness, but owing to the lack of sufficient help it is difficult to keep the institution in satisfactory condition. The board of supervisors does not allow a sufficient appropriation to pay for necessary help.