Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1874-05-15
For the VERMONT FARMER
FARMERS WIVES AGAIN.

In considering the duties of farmers
wives, it is quite essential that We do not
contound their duties with those belonging
to some other department. Said wives are
not presumed to be superhuman, or neces-
sarily obliged to do three days work in
one, or to assume the work Of two or three
individuals.
1t is folly in the extreme for woman to
undertake her own work, the care Of the
cossets, carrying of milk, helping in the
sugar work, and We don't know where she
would stop according to K. A. ). This we
think does not pay 1t is Dad ecouomy,
to say nothing more. Perhaps it might be
done one year, but the next would requlr
two hired girls to do Que half Of the same.
The duties of farmers wife do not nec-
essarily extend all over the tarm. Ii she
can do her own work, 1t is what but few at
tempt now, aud but lew 20 through the year
with. Leaving the parts pertaining to tue
province of the meu-lolks t0 them the
sheep aud the lambs-and if they have pro.
vided no better convenience for carrying Oft
the milk than the pail, Thea let the stronger
sides and narrower robes attend to that
In sugaring tune they eau also learn to
rinse the sIrup strainers.
But if any woman thinks 1t profitable to
run after turkeys all through the summer
and tall, no one eau object. We do not
think any man or boy equal to that.
Ii the men are short tOr help, hire boy
that will answer rs waiter for both sides.
A woman can with little help at the right
time carry on quite dairy and housework
business alone. Sometimes it seems pleas
anter to do 30 than to hire an assistant in
the house the husband will tnink 80 too,
aud add that little help readily enough, if
we'll advised.
The milk skimming can be done before
either meal-time, AS the weather requires,
letting it stand until the meal ID over and
the men start again then enptylng 1t will
easily 20 IN with the other chores.
We know the men-tolks should not be
haunted with some chore, Us SOON as they
come within hearing distance Of the house /;
aud it may be avoided 1t the work is rightly
planned.
1t is of no use for farmers wife to un-
dertake too many things in Que day, any
more than it is for any other wife. People
often have an idea their ability and respon-
sbility are unlimited. But they may as
we'll cali their work done tor little while,
after the dinner Is cleared away put on
the ''new print" aud sit down to sewing,
(possibly reading,l' or ii there is little
drawing feeling IN that side, or head trying
TO ache, drop down on the lounge aud take
u short nap; it will count another year, il
not this. DO not fear that you are having
too easy time, wnen the men seem to be
working SO hard in the field you will no
tice by and by they will be through no
breakfast to pick up ready for morning, OIL
"few stitches" TO take, no sick babies to
tend and watch through tho night. Tney
do not know how to do these things, so leI
them go to sleep Gf they will be very
obliging through the day timel.
Now if the duties of farmers wives are
50 very innumera0le as some represent, it
better be kept hush before the rising daugh-
ters, or they will all be missing when farm
prospects are held up " them Tor their con.
sidera tion. Z. l.. ii.