The Oregon School for Blind was organized about twenty-six years ago. Its first work was very simple, and there were only a few pupils in attendWhile the enrollment is not large now, it is, nevertheless, about on an average with that of other states, as compared with the respective populations.

ance.

When the school was first organized, and for sometime afterward, all reading and study from books was done in the old line or raised letter system; but several years ago two different "point" systems were devised in the making of books to be used by the blind. The first is known as the New York Point System (the one in use in this school), which was the invention of Prof. W. B. Wait, Superintendent of the New York School for Blind. The other is somewhat similiar, and is known as the Braille System; each of which are simply raised points, embossed on heavy leafed paper, and, according to number and position, representing letters, figures and wordsigns. The only use made of the old raised letter system is to read it from the stereotyped books. The point systems, however, possess great advantages over the former; as by the use of a slate and stylus made for the purpose, the blind write their exercises in school, their letters, or anything which they may wish to transfer to paper for future use.

OBJECTS OF THE SCHOOL.

The design of this school is to give an education in the common and in some of the high school branches, including industrial work, to the children and youth of the state who are either blind, or whose sight is so defective that they cannot be educated in schools for the seeing. The requisites for

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admission are, that the applicant be in good health, of sound mind, and of good moral character. The institution is kept open for nine months in each year, and its privileges are free, the only cost to parents being for clothing and traveling expenses. Pupils who take sick while here are treated by a skillful physician; but it is in no way an asylum or home for the blind. It is simply a school; but owing to the fact that pupils come from different parts of the state, it is necessary that they have a home here during the school term.

It is a great misfortune to lose the sight; and while the expense of educating a blind child is necessarily more than that of a seeing one, yet it is as much the duty of the state to educate the one as the other.

A considerable per cent. of the educated blind are capable of earning their own support; besides, their lives are much brighter when educated. Hard and dark, indeed, must be the life of that one who has been deprived of natural sight, and in whom the windows of the mind have never been opened.

WHAT IS TAUGHT.

In addition to the regular literary course of study, which includes a number of the high school branches, the pupils are taught typewriting on the new Remington machine; vocal and instrumental music, including the piano, organ, violin, and cornet. The industrial work includes hammock and net making. All girls are taught hand sewing, and, as far as possible, to mend their own clothing and to use the sewing machine. The primary pupils are taught clay moulding, and, in the study of primary geography are taught sand work-that is, the construction of outlines and elevations of country from damp sand, placed upon a suitable table.

NEW INDUSTRIAL TRAINING PROPOSED.

Near the close of the last term of school, the honorable State Board of Education appointed a committee to visit and inspect, in company with State Superintendent J. H. Ackerman, the three state schools located at Salem. The following is their report:

"We spent Monday and the forenoon of Tuesday in the School for Blind, Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday in the School for the Deaf, and Thursday in the Reform School. We made as thorough an examination as the length of time would permit, of the individual and class work of the pupils, and observed the methods of instruction employed.

We have much to commend with respect to the earnest spirit of pupils and teachers. The instruction appears to be thoroughly and painstakingly done, and the pupils seem to be studious and well behaved.

In our opinion, all the schools would be much benefited by the introduction of more lines of industrial training, and the more general use of object methods of instruction. This would multiply the avenues of knowledge and expression and add to the ability of the pupils to earn their living after school. The difficulty of the teaching and the necessity of the use of skill, not only in teaching but in understanding the minds of those pupils who are deprived of the use of sight or hearing, makes it essential that the teacher should be experienced and especially fitted by nature and training."

In pursuance of the recommendations of this committee, the superintendent of the school suggested to the state board that on the line of manual training there be introduced into the Orgon School for Blind something of sloyd work, which suggestion was approved by the board. This is teaching the use of tools and implements in making models and simple articles of use from wood, pasteboard, and paper-the prime object of which is to develop the constructive power or ability of the child, as an aid to his higher mental and physical culture. Information is being sought from three of the leading schools for the blind in the United States where this is being taught, as to what special features of the system will be of the most practical use in this

school. Visits have also been made to the Portland Manual Training School and to the normal school at Monmouth, where this is taught in the training department.

Within the past twenty-five years many of the leading public and private schools of the United States, and a few of the schools for the blind, have organized and are carrying on successfully manual training departments.

ENROLLMENT.

Since the first organization of the school between ninety and one hundred pupils have enjoyed the privileges and benefits of instruction within its walls. During the present biennial term, January 1, 1899, to December, 1900, there have been enrolled thirty-four pupils.

IMPROVEMENTS.

During the past year a neat and substantial iron post fence has been erected in front of the premises, and a winding cement walk made from the street entrance, in front and around one end to the rear of the main building. The old laundry on the north side of the campus has been removed, and a building on the south side of the grounds has been fitted up as a laundry and store-room. The buildings and premises are in fair condition, but there are some improvements that should be made.