story by the females. The worst cases occupy the old building, which has a small yard upon the east side, not shown in the photograph. The patients are allowed to go out of doors in good weather, and have plenty of exercise. The grounds about the buildings have been nicely graded and grassed and present a very attractive appearance.

The sewer system has been extended to the river, so that the insane asylum and the almshouse sewage is conducted to a safe distance from the buildings. All the fixtures are well trapped. Both the almshouse and the insane asylum are a credit to the county; indeed, no better are to found in the State, and it is safe to say that the insane asylum is superior to that possessed by any other county. Last season a new boiler was put into the boiler house, which is located just north of the asylum, thus affording ample facilities for heating. Last winter but one boiler was used, and no complaint was made of insufficient warmth.

We do not hesitate to commend this institution to the consideration of other counties contemplating the improvement of their own buildings.

The almshouse and asylum are under the management of William Tasker and wife.

MERRIMACK COUNTY JAIL.

The Merrimack county jail is located at Concord; it is a brick building, containing ample room for the jailer's family and a jail proper with twelve cells, besides two or three rooms in another part of the building for the detention of female prisoners. The buildings themselves are well constructed, and in a good location. The cells are arranged so as to constitute two tiers, six in each, with an ample court on all sides. Within a year or two the plumbing in the jailer's part and in the wing designed for female prisoners has been thoroughly overhauled, so that in this portion of the building it is in at least a fair condition. The sanitary condition of the remainder of the building may best be described by inserting a letter which was transmitted to the county commissioners:

Board of County Commissioners, Merrimack County, New Hampshire : GENTLEMEN, Your attention is respectfully called to the unsanitary condition of the Merrimack county jail. The water supply and ventilation are inad

equate, the plumbing is in a very faulty condition, and the drainage is not equal to the demands necessary to maintain a healthful condition.

In each cell there is a dirty, dilapidated, cast-iron bowl, originally porcelainlined, with an insufficient water supply for flushing. These closets are wholly without ventilation, or practically so- an opening in the wall two by two by eight inches, just the size of an ordinary brick, amounts to nothing as a means of ventilation. The twelve cells are practically alike in this respect, the sanitary condition of each being exceedingly bad.

There is an opening in the floor of the corridor to allow the wash-water to flow off the brick or concrete floor, and it is directly connected with the sewer without any intervening trap. The sewer leads directly to a cesspool, a few rods distant from the buildings, the odors from which were distinctly noticeable in the corridor.

We would respectfully recommend that new closets, with proper ventilating flues, be constructed for the cells, and that traps be put in wherever necessary. In the jailer's apartments the bathtub and washbowl are without traps, and proper traps should be supplied for these fixtures. The small trap under the kitchen sink should be removed, and a trap that cannot be siphoned substituted therefor.

At the time of the inspection the water supply was found to be unsufficient for the demands of the jail. Either the tank capacity should be increased, or a pipe large enough to insure an ample supply at all times of the year should be laid to the street main.

In the basement of the jail is a large opening connected with the sewer; this should either be trapped or discarded entirely, preferably the latter. The opening does not seem to be necessary and is at times offensive.

We would also suggest, as a matter of economy as well as greater protection against fire, that the twelve stoves now used to heat the institution be abandoned and steam heat substituted therefor. This is not recommended strictly as a sanitary measure, but we believe it would be a much better and safer way of heating the building.

We believe the sanitary condition of the jail to be such that your board would be warranted in taking immediate action to remedy the defects. The present condition is dangerous to the health of the inmates, and we believe the health of those confined there should not be jeopardized by waiting for the action of the county delegation in regard to the matter.

Should your board decide, as we hope and expect you will, to remedy the present unhealthful conditions at the jail, this Board would gladly render any assistance desired in suggesting the necessary changes and the manner in which they can best be carried out.

With the exception of the defects mentioned, the jail was found to be in first-class condition; it was clean throughout, and the indications pointed to general good management and careful oversight in all its departments.

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY ALMSHOUSE.

The Hillsborough county almshouse is located at Wilton, about five miles distant from the railway station. The buildings consist of the almshouse proper, A; the old men's home, B; the old women's home, C; the asylum for insane females, D; the asylum for insane males, E; the boiler house and laundry, F, and the superintendent's residence and various out-buildings.

Within a few years several marked improvements have been made at this institution, among which may be mentioned an increased water supply, an additional boiler for laundry and cooking purposes, a storehouse and vegetable cellar, the construction of a separate building for the old men's home, an enlargement and improvement of the insane asylum for females, an extension of the nurs for children under five years of age, besides several ined vements of lesser magnitude.

A the buildings are of wood, except the superintendent's he and the boiler house, which are of brick.

The almshouse is an old building, three stories in height, poorly constructed, and ill adapted for the needs of a county having so many poor as has this. The building is considerably worn and shows the want of paint upon the outside. The old men's home and the insane asylum for females are in a very good condition. The insane asylum for men is an old and poorly constructed building, not adequate to the needs of the county. The remaining buildings are in very good condition.

This institution, as a whole, consists of an aggregation of buildings so closely situated that the danger from fire is greatly increased. It is unfortunate for the county that its buildings are not fire proof and better arranged, both for the comfort of the inmates and for convenience in administering to their wants.

An inspection of the interior of the buildings showed them to be in excellent condition, so far as cleanliness and general management are concerned. All the rooms were found to be neat and clean, giving evidence that the superintendent and matron appreciate the value of thorough cleanliness. The beds were in good condition and clean. All the beds in this institution have fresh clothing once a week, and oftener if necessary.

During the past year the nursery has been enlarged, making it