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FARMERS' INSTITUTES HELD IN OHIO DURING THE SEASON BEGINNING DECEMBER 2, 1907, AND ENDING FEBRUARY 29, 1908-Concluded.

Counties.

Institutes Held.

Where.

When.

Average Attendance Re

ported Each Session.

Local Expenses Covered by Allowance, as per Amended Institute Law.

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PAPERS READ AT

FARMERS' INSTITUTES, 1907-1908

"HIGHER EDUCATION FOR THE FARMER'S WIFE."

BY MRS. F. M. JONES.

Since many of our colleges and universities have opened their doors to women, we hear and read a great deal about higher education of women. It is true many women have distinguished themselves in the professional field and on the lecture platform, but the truth remains, that woman's true sphere is at the domestic hearth. Home is her kingdom, where her reign is supreme. In just such a degree as the home, the wives and the mothers of a nation are virtuous, intelligent, loyal and God-fearing, in just so far is the national life pure. Since the farm is the nursery of the nation, and the wife the guardian of that nursery, it is the farmer's wife who realizes that the nation is dependent on her for its heroes, philosophers and martyrs, and appeals to the agricultural world for a higher education. When men learn that it requires as much education to administer the affairs of a house as any other profession, a great gain will be made in justice toward women.

The greatest difficulty the farmer's wife has to overcome is to convince the husband that she is his equal partner, having invested the same capital, her energy, life and health, with him, and expects an equal return. This accomplished, she has solved the most difficult problem in the curriculum of domestic agriculture. The farmer's wife believes, to a certain degree, in the emancipa. tion of women; not to the extent of woman suffrage. She does not care to step down from her place of honor to meet with man at the ballot box, but she does demand an equal right to all the improvements and advantages of the farm home. It is often said that labor saving devices have not reached the kitchen, and true it may be, for in many farm kitchens the work is done after the manner of the grandmother. When the husband brings home the many farm improvements, such as the gang-plow, the binder and the corn harvester, he promises his wife that oil stove just as soon as he can afford it. The wife appreciates his promises, enjoys his advantages, but sees the selfish side of the investment.

As meekness is woman's virtue, she says nothing, but thinks a great deal. She begins to realize that when meekness becomes a weakness it ceases to be a virtue. She is awakened to the fact that women are partially to blame for this state of affairs and looks about for a remedy. Perhaps her husband would gladly supply her with all the modern advantages of the kitchen, if she would kindly demand them. This she must do before she can reach the higher plane of usefulness which is demanded of her. Look into the kitchen of the higher educated woman. It is located in the most convenient part of the house, the floor is painted or covered with linoleum, the walls are papered with varnished

tile paper or sanitas, the windows have plain white curtains. Centrally located is the kitchen cabinet, which contains all her cooking utensils from the measuring spoon to the steam cooker; all made of aluminum, which require no weary hours in scouring to keep bright. On the right of the cabinet is her gas or oil stove, with its automatic oven; to the left is the sink, where she has hot and cold water always ready. Within a step is the dumb waiter, which contains the daily rations. The refrigerator saves hundreds of steps up and down cellar for articles requiring cold storage. Here are the bread and cake mixers, which produce as good a quality of bread and cake with ten minutes' work as with one hour's work the old way. In the laundry, the washing machine and mangle are run by the water motor or gas engine, which also runs the cream separator. The cream is sent to the creamery, doing away with the heavy work of the dairy, and gives better results. The broom is assigned to the back door, for her house is cleaned with the new process vacuum cleaner. With this process and the use of the fireless stove, the husband gets his three warm meals every day during house-cleaning season.

With these conveniences and many more that could be mentioned, farm life will no longer be a drudgery, but a diversion, with great possibilities within reach for her development and advancement. Ruth Ashmore says: "It is not only to make our lives as good as possible, but as easy as possible. Easy in the right way; not by neglecting our duty, but by taking up our burden with a smile. God meant for everyone to work hard enough to get tired, but he also intended them to enjoy their labor, take some rest and have time to indulge in a few of the desires of their nature."

Many and varied are the opportunities offered for the development of the farmer's wife today. A Woman's National Progress League, to study economics and the betterment of the farm home, is being formed in different parts of the country. In many states there is a Woman's Section in connection with the Farmers' Institute, where women speakers discuss various topics of special interest to women. It is hoped that Ohio will soon fall in line. In another state there is established a Farmer's Wife Reading Course; the object being the improvement of the farm home. The woman's club, which is a reform organization, is vitally interested in the cause of education. But a club has its limitations. Too often the members are found present at each session of the club, but absent from the mid-week prayer meeting and the Sabbath evening church service. But of what benefit are all these organizations for the betterment of the farm home if the wife has not time to engage in them?

Provide her with the higher grade of implements for work in her kitchen and she will do more efficient work, and thus have more leisure for the study of sanitation, hygiene and economic betterment of the home. The cultivating of the true principles of right and justice and christian charity which she instils into the minds of her sons and daughters will have a deep and inspiring influence on the national life.

"THE BEST IS NOT TOO GOOD."

BY MES. J. E. OREBAUGH.

In searching for a topic which might prove of interest to this audence, I have been able to think of nothing more likely to please than a consideration of what may make for vital improvement in the attractiveness of farm life and add to the real joy of living.

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On the surface of the matter it may seem strange to raise such a question when the farm home is surrounded by all that makes life really worth living. Country life is the natural cuvironment of man. It is the life that calls forth the deeper feelings of his nature. All the songs of home are of country homes. No one could wax poetical over a city flat or even a narrow strip of ground with a house on it in town. it is in the country alone that one has a real chance to live-where the sun shines on one from the time it peeps above the horizon in the morning until it sinks to rest in golden beauty at night; where the changing seasons but bring added beauties and delights.

Life is not busier here than elsewhere, but it is lived in the future. One is always looking ahead and planning for what is to come. No one but a. chronic growler can spend much time grumbling about what is past. Nowhere else is there such an opportunity for becoming acquainted with one's own soul. But with all these beauties and advantages, that there is a lack of something felt in country life is attested by the number of people who each year leave the farm, and by the many young people reared on the farm who, when their education is complete, seek homes and employment elsewhere. This is often with the entire approval of their parents, which argues that they have felt some lack they wish their children to avoid.

This change in environment is not always to be deplored, for we know that the farm has given to the business and professional world some of its best material, and that this is likely to continue to be the case. But, on the other hand, there is no business in which there is greater demand for intelligence and education than on the farm; and it seems a great pity to see talented young people leaving an opportunity for prosperity and independence for an inferior position merely for the sake of avoiding farm life.

Even if they succeed, it is very doubtful if anything can compensate for giving up the simple, natural life for the artificial, and though they may travel far and gain much worldly wisdom, yet in the language of the Quaker poet

"He who wanders widest, lifts

No more of beauty's jealous vail

Than he who from his doorway sees
The miracle of flowers and trees."

We, however, live in a world of progress. The law of life is growth. The procession of life is moving on and we must keep step. So however we may be blest by nature and environment, if we do not progress we will be left behind in the race. If we wish the young people of the country to love that life so that they will desire no better, we must make it attractive to them. With the natural advantages of country life, everything that brings comfort, refinement and culture to the home is easily accessible to us. It is quite possible for us to place our homes in these matters on a par with homes anywhere; and to make our rural communities known for their kindly hospitality and good fellowship.

The isolation and hard conditions of country life in the past caused people to become used to self-denial. It seemed almost a necessity of the environment. But these conditions no longer exist. We are not isolated if we but become acquainted. And, with modern conveniences, life is quite as easy here as any. where. If we have not appropriated these conveniences let us have them. We should have the best in all matters.

It is not luxury and extravagance that add to the comfort and attractiveness of home, but simple elegance and convenience. And, to us who depend so much on our homes for enjoyment, these things are more necessary than to

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