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For a good many years now the manual training department, both of the girls and the boys, has been held in the pupils' minds as on a par with any other department of the institution. They not only like it but view it from the practical vocational side, and they wish for all possible assignments to it. Occasionally graduates return for further opportunities to work in it -- all which is naturally gratifying. As for the boys, while at South Boston the teachers had recourse to money payment for overtime work in order to keep them busy and out of mischief, as the director reported six years ago. Such payment has now gone out of vogue, the increased duties and responsibilities as well as opportunities of the reconstructed school having made this unnecessary. And yet whenever a teacher is in the shop classroom the pupils will crowd in and ask to be allowed to work.

There has been a greater demand this year than ever before for chances to work during the summer vacations. Through the efforts of the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind this was secured for three girls and two boys, entirely away from the institution, one of whom has chosen to keep his position permanently. The director was able to place two recent graduates, one as instructor and salesman with the New York Association for the Blind, the other as teacher and supervisor at the Wisconsin School for the Blind. We are pleased to learn that all of them either gave or are giving satisfaction.