Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1874-07-10
Eaoies' department.
For the VERMONT FARMER
DUTIES" WITH VARIATIONS.

Much has been said and sung about the
duties of farmers wives, and | have read
opinions, arguments, and the like with much
interest. The greater part, as nearly as
can determine, are in favor Of the following:
ResOloed, That it is the duty of every
farmers wife to do all necessary work in the
kitchen, and the remaining time shall be
spent in useful employment out of doors, in
milking cows, rakiug hay, feeding calves and
pigs, and in every possible way assist in the
great cause of making money, or her hus-
band may direct, regardless of comfort.
Now it is acknowledged by all that men
are the protectors of women; they are the
"lords of creation" and l propose that the
resolution be amended or utterly repealed,
and instead have something like the follow
ing:
Resolced, That it is the duty of every
farmer to spend his spare time washing
dishes and ironing shirt fronts and white
dresses.
They are certainly just as able to do that
as their wives are to make hay, and it is no
more unjust to expect it of them.
Every man is taught from childhood that
he is stronger than his sisters and must pro-
tect them and how proud he is of the re-
sponsibility But when he marries woman
that works in the fields with him, does he
think of protecting her? Would he be
proud to introduce her to his old school,
mate, or would his heart swell with pride
as he led him to the dirty kitchen to show
his family2 Then, should he have courage
to invite his friend to dinner, what a scene
there must await him, and what tempting
repast would be prepared. His wife, unfit
to be seen, leaves him to entertain his guest
as best he can, while the children amuse
themselves by throwing their food at each
other, and perhaps knives and forks. The
friend takes himself away as soon as possi-
blc thoroughly disgusted with farming, and
the farmer as completely disgusted with his
wife.
Who is the most to blame for such state
of affairs? The farmer most certainly is
greatly to blame for aHo0ing his wife to
work out of the house. Any farmer with
one spark of true manhood, would willingly
do the work of two men rather than allow
his wife to assist him in that way, and any
brother should have more respect for his
sister than to have her descend TO the level
of a "chore boy"
No farmers family is so small that there
is not work enough to do indoors, if it is
properly done, and no mother can make hay
without robbing her children of something
far more precious than money can ever be-
Any man who has wife with no more
refinement nor any higher aspirations than
those of day laborer, is indeed unCortu-
nate, and it is to be hoped they are few, but
, to such unfortunate husbands | would say,
when your wife asks to assist you in the
fields, tell her to improve her spare moments
by washing the children's faces, combing
their hair, and teaching them to speak the En-
, glish language properly, and that done, if
she has spare tune, attend to her own ap-
pearance. One need never be idle on the
farm, and it is there people can find true
f comfort and real enjoyment if they will but
try. There are many things of more i'm.
; portance than paying for farm, but those
|, very things will not hinder that object if
= people begin the right way,
n As general thing they spend the best
years Of their life in perfect slavery, looking
for the time when they shall become wealthy
|. as their only hope of enjoyment. Children
grow up in ignorance Of anything beyond the
farm and district school, and with no greater
respect for their parents than that command
- ed By fear. They are fed three times day
@ and furnished with necessary clothing, but
N beyond this they receive no more attention
le than a pet calf or dog. If in after years
s' their parents should become wealthy, would
u u that repay for their bleak childhood Let
to each one frame his own reply. Farming
At will always be dstasteful as long as such
o. wretched homes are found, aud so many
y children are neglected for the sake of max
'e ing and saving money.
le This is the resolution l adopted some time
If since;
y 1t is the duty of every farmer and his
h family to make home pleasant.
10 "a FARMER's DAUGuTER.'
Of North DurJWry, July6.