To adopt this suggestion means a return to the old system of convict colonies. An obstacle to the segregation plan under present conditions is the scarcity of lands available for such purposes. Suitable island territory is at a premium. Continental land, except in isolated cases, is not desirable for the location of convict colonies because of the opportunities for escape. The alternative is the establishment of prison farms--a system experimented with more or less during recent years. _Ohio Penitentiary Breaks Silence._--One of the most sweeping changes made in prison rules by Warden Thomas since he was placed in charge of the penitentiary came on February 24, when he announced that convicts would be permitted to talk to each other while working. Almost since the time the prison was first built it had been one of the stringent rules of the institution that prisoners could not talk with each other while at work. This rule always was adhered to strictly. The theory was that to let prisoners talk in the shops and factories was to invite attempted escapes and plots leading to infractions of prison discipline. _A Good Idea._--From the Elizabeth, New Jersey, News, comes this information: “What New Jersey Is Doing for the Young Man Who Breaks Its Laws,” is the title of an instructive address being delivered throughout the State by the Rev. Frank Moore, of this city, superintendent of the New Jersey Reformatory. In his address Mr. Moore plainly shows the efforts of the State at its institutions to uplift manhood and instill higher ideals of living. Superintendent Moore selects the county courthouse as the place to deliver his lecture, and has already spoken at seven county seats, including Toms River, Ocean county; Woodbury, Gloucester county; Freehold, Monmouth county; Mount Holly, Burlington county; Belvidere, Warren county, and Newton, Sussex county. At the two latter places, the audiences were so great that there was not room enough in the courthouses to accommodate them. At Mount Holly the largest gathering in years was the result. Usually the county judge presides, and the lecture is heard by prosecutors, officials, ministers, school teachers, etc., who are naturally interested in the work from their vocations. Excellent reports have been made concerning the value of the lecture. _Prison Publicity._--The Montreal Star says that the farther the inquiry into the Kingston Penitentiary goes, the more it is evident that what the discipline of any prison needs is the wholesome and curative application of publicity. Punishments ought not to be inflicted upon convicts without the fact being made public. Any mischiefs which may arise will be possible only because the authorities of a prison have the power to punish prisoners behind their grim walls in entire secrecy.