It shall be the duty of said overseers, guardians, directors of the poor, or other persons having charge of the poor, to place all dependent children who are in or committed to their charge, and who are over two years of age (with the exceptions named in the second section of this act),¹ in some respectable family in this State or in some educational institution or home for children; and one of said officers shall visit such children, in person or by agent, not less than once every six months, and make all needful inquiries as to their treatment and welfare, and shall report thereon to the board of overseers or other officers charged with the care of such children.

Whenever the parents of any children between the ages of two and sixteen years are unable to give them proper personal care and attention, but are willing and able to pay for such cares, attention, and maintenance, the county commissioners of the respective counties may enter into an agreement with the parent or parents of such child or children for their care and maintenance in such county industrial home at the expense of such parent or parents.