The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1895-11-06
Maids Taught to Cook and Sew.

what is being taught in this school. This
Girls School OF Agriculture, at st. Anthony
Park. MIMI, midway between st. Paul and
Minneapolis, is prob ably the most unique
educational institution in the country. Here
| farmers. daughters are taught to cock aud
sew, how to raise fruits and flowers, the
sciences of dairyipg, househo chemistry
| and entomology, and many other useful
things which will make them valuable aids
to the farmers lucky enough to win their
educated hands and hearts
The diversity of Minnesota School of Ag.
riculture (Which has the honor of having
ing practical agriculture to boys who had
fEished the rural district schools, and who
were not far enough advanced to enter the
regular college course) was founded seven
years ago. but only last summer was the ex-
pertinent made of admitting girls for a
course of four weeks. This was so success
ful that the course this summer was ex-
tended to six we ks, and the regents of the
university are row planning to admit girls
for the full term from Oatober to April.
The plan is t. have the boys ana girls in
classes together except IN such lines OF
practical work as will fall to them separately
in life. In such subjects as botany, book
keeping, civics, chemistry. mathematics,
language. darying, poultry, entomology,
horticulture, physics, physiology. music,
drawing, etc they will work together, but
while the girls are busy with cooking, sew
ing millinery and the like. the boys will
work at blacksmithing, carpentry, animal
| industry, etc.
In domestic chemistry the girls are in
structed in the chemistry and economy of
foods, the purity of the water supply for
household purposes and the chemical
changes that take place in the making of
butter and cheese. Simple tests tor the de
lection OF the adulteration of foods are also
ven. Many other topics, as the chemistry
of sewer gases, disinfectants, soaps, dyes,
etc., receive due attention, and some Iabor,.-
tory work is done.
Later the girls will study the nutritive
value of foods and their purity from adult
Grafton; and how TO analyze water. The
analysis of soils and the testing of illumina-
ting oils will likewise be part of the future
housewives education.
Two fOrenOons week are devoted to
cooking and other household subjects. The
girls listen to demonstration lecture and
then engage in practice work TO Put their
newly acquired knowledge to the test.
Mainly the common foods are treated. Bak-
ing bread, broiling, boiling, frying and
roasting meats, canning and picking fruits
and vegetables, making pastry, buildings
and dressings, the preparation of salads,
soups add GRAVES, and the best methods of
carving and serving are discussed When
tits remembered that the prevailing diet OF
the farmer during the winter months is
salt pork and potatoes, it will be seen that
the future holds great possibilities when
these new omen" become queens of
households.
In sewing these girl students are taught
various stitches used in basting, scanning,
hemming. mending, etc. Then comes in
struction in the making of underwear and
other plain garments, after which follow
dressmaking, millinery and various forms
OF art needlework. In connection with sew
ing are taught the qualities of various fab
RIGS, the harmony of colors and the prin.
cipIes of aesthetic taste.