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STATE OF NEW YORK.

No. 23.

IN ASSEMBLY,

JANUARY 11, 1883.

THIRTY-SECOND ANNUAL REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE NEW YORK ASYLUM FOR IDIOTS.

To the Legislature of the State of New York:

Agreeably to the provisions of the act establishing this institution, the undersigned Trustees respectfully submit this their Thirty-second Annual Report.

RESOURCES FOR THE YEAR.

CLASSIFIED SUMMARY OF EXPENDITURES.

On Current Expense Account of the New York Asylum for Idiots, for year ending September 30, 1882.

From an examination of the books of the asylum we are able to report that on the 1st of October, 1882, there were outstanding obligations and cash assets, in the following amounts:

OUTSTANDING INDEBTEDNESS, OCTOBER 1, 1882.

ASSETS, OCTOBER 1, 1882.

The slight apparent deficiency of assets, as compared with the liabilities, is compensated by an additional amount of supplies in the various store-rooms of the institution.

In our last report the attention of the Legislature was called to the need of some addition to the fire apparatus of the asylum, and the sum of $1,500 was appropriated for that purpose. This has been expended in the purchase of an excellent chemical fire-engine. A six-inch main has also been brought from the city water-works, and several hydrants have been located at convenient points about the building. There is now a good pressure of water in the upper stories of the buildings.

In accordance, also, with another suggestion of the board, an appropriation was made for the purchase of a farm, for the use of the asylum, and a moderate sum for addition to the present farm buildings. In carrying out this purpose a committee of the board devoted considerable time and thought to the questions of location and adaption. A farm was finally selected at Fairmount. It is just five miles from the city, on the Auburn railroad, and very near the station, and only four miles from the institution.

The price given for eighty-seven acres was $10,000, or $115 an acre. The title to the property is unquestionable, the present ownership being but a few removes from an original State grant.

It is not only a desirable location, but the farm is in every way suitable, in the judgment of the board. The soil is good; a portion of it adapted to ordinary farm crops, while another part is well fitted for gardening purposes. There are upon it never-failing and copious springs, and it also has running through it a living stream of excellent water.

As soon as the title to the property could be obtained an additional farm-house was erected and is now nearly ready for occupation. It is plainly and substantially built and will accommodate comfortably about forty of the older boys. Attached to this report is a financial statement of the mode of expenditure of this special appropriation. The amount of work accomplished was only practicable by utilizing the work of some of our inmates. Thus, the necessary excavation for the cellar was done by our boys. The stone for the cellar walls was collected on the place by the same kind of labor. A portion of the work on the building itself was done by our own carpenter with the aid of one of the boys familiar with the use of tools.