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connected therewith, for the purpose of rendering the buildings more secure from fire.

The institution is under the management of Mr. and Mrs. Martin A. Herrick, who have held the position about five years. The following is a copy of a letter submitted by the county delegation to the commissioners of Sullivan county:

THE STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,

To the County Commissioners of Sullivan County:

CONCORD, July 30, 1889.

The visit to the county farm on the 5th inst. by the county convention, leads that body to make to you the following suggestions:

1. Good husbandry would seem to require that the barnyard should be kept dry, in order that stock may be healthy and milk from cows be free from filth, to accomplish which an eaves spout should be placed on the south side of the barn, and extended westerly far enough to carry the water away from the roof westward of the barn; that the stone wall upon the south side of the yard should be removed and replaced by a board fence; that suitable drains should be constructed to carry off the under-ground water, and the yard be properly graded. It is believed that this will render the yard dry and fit for its purpose. 2. The hog pens should either be placed at such distances from the house as to prevent odors therefrom from reaching its occupants, or be frequently cleaned and dry earth or other absorbents introduced.

3. This body would recommend that you employ some competent carpenter to remove so much of the woodwork beneath the privy seats as is necessary to make a cleanly reconstruction thereof, and then place such conduits as are usual in other public buildings, with the necessary water tanks above them, and then either make a drain to carry all excretory matter to a proper distance, if practicable with the present water supply, by the use of flushing apparatus, otherwise provide iron receptacles that can be emptied and cleansed daily, or as often as shall be found necessary.

4. That this body is of the opinion that all the foregoing improvements might and ought to be made, under your direction, by the superintendent with the assistance constantly at his command, and without expense to the county, except the carpenter's work and the plumbing.

In accordance with the recommendations of the Board and the county delegation, the commissioners have commenced the improvements suggested.

GRAFTON COUNTY ALMSHOUSE.

This institution was first inspected by the board in 1882, since which time several other inspections have been made. It is gratifying to say that during that period several material improvements have been made. The buildings which originally existed upon this farm were burned several years ago, and the present almshouse was built by the county especially for the purpose to which it is now applied. These buildings consist of a main house, A, with two wings, one on the east, B, and the other on the west side, C, as shown in the illustration. The insane asylum, D, is situated still farther west and is connected with the west wing of the almshouse by a covered walk. The east wing (shown at the right hand in the illustration) is occupied by the female, and the west wing by the male inmates.

Among the improvements which have been made from time to time, at the recommendation of this Board, are an increased water supply for domestic purposes; a better system of ventilation; an improvement in the sewer system; increased facilities for cooking by steam; the erection of a brick building for boiler and wash rooms; the remodeling of the insane asylum, and the construction of a large addition thereto, and other improvements of minor importance.

The buildings are located in Haverhill, upon a tableland rising above the Connecticut river, about a mile and a half from Woodsville. The location is delightful, with pleasant surroundings and scenery.

In

The general cleanliness of the institution was noted, but some repairs are necessary. The paper on the walls, and in some places the plaster itself, is badly broken and marred. This should be repaired, or, better still, the old paper should be taken off and the walls dressed with kalsomine, alabastine, or paint. In one or two places the plaster overhead is broken and needs repairing. some parts of the building new floors are needed. The woodwork should all be painted, in fact, the interior of the building should be re-dressed throughout. The women's bathroom also needs some repairs. The water-closets are in fair condition, and the general ventilation of the building has been somewhat improved during the year.

The beds and furniture are in very good

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condition. The food provided for the inmates is of good quality and abundant.

Since our last report was made an addition to the asylum has been built, (shown in the illustration by the lighter color of the new shingles), containing sixteen rooms, eight upon each floor. The rooms are 8x9 feet on the floor, and each has a large window and latticed door, so that heat and ventilation are secured. The windows are protected by screens. The attic contains two goodsized halls, where the inmates may meet to visit or for any other social purpose. A water-closet is provided for each room, with a ventilating pipe connected with the main flue of the building. All the rooms are sheathed with wood. The entire asylum is very well arranged, and is probably ample for the county for many years to come. On the average, about fifteen persons are confined here. The asylum has an excellent cellar or basement, which is used for a vegetable cellar and storeroom. The entire institution contained at the time of the inspection one hundred and eighteen inmates.

called to the inadequate The present water sup

The attention of the county should be protection of the buildings against fire. ply is only sufficient for the domestic needs and for sewerage purposes, the source of supply being a well and a spring upon the hillside northeast of the buildings. From this source a sufficient supply for fire purposes cannot be obtained. It is suggested that a reservoir be built upon the hill and filled from the river by pumps. The present boiler capacity is sufficient to do the pumping, and the proposed measure would not require a great outlay. Protection against fire is urgently demanded, and this would seem to be the most feasible plan. Should the buildings now take fire, unless it was discovered immediately they would most certainly be destroyed. Even though the property may be fully insured, the risk to life is far too great to excuse any neglect in this direction. This matter should be brought before the county convention.

The money appropriated for the purpose of enlarging the insane asylum was well expended, and we have no doubt that every member of the county delegation would be pleased with the results. We predict that the same would be true in respect to the proposed water supply for fire purposes, even though this

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