Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1904-02-18
How to Interest Farmers Wives in
Institute work.
BY MRS. JOHN GREENLEE

u
How shall we induce the Farmers
wives to attend and to participate in
the Farmers Institute? | shall con-
slider the question of their attendance
for / assure you we resemble all
womankind in one particular, we can
talk and we do whenever we have an
opportunity. If the farmers will use
their influence with their "better
halves in regard to their attendance
it will have the desired effect in MANY
households. Just give this plan
trial, thou man with the hoe and see
if it don't work like charm. About
the first of next January address your
wife in the following terms: "My
dear, it is my earnest desire that you
should attend the Farmers Institute,
which will convene some time next
month. So please make your prepara-
tions and upon the arrival OF Ladies
Day at the Institute, if the weather
is too severe for the baby, or Willie
has a sore throat / will remain at home
and care for them while you go and
discuss chickens and flower beds and
Strawberries" all subjects dear to the
country woman's heart. And after
administering a judicious amount of
praise in regard to her attalnments,
general appearance, etc. l will insure
that woman's attendance and assis-
lance. Having disposed of the mans
responsibility let US turn to that OF
the woman. Shall ! address my plea
to the woman on the farm as | know
her best, Intelligent, progressive, gen.
orally with a good team at her dis
posal, as capable of driving into town
-, ~ n 80 E otton1 intr tn ha ra nj
her household. or shall / speak to the
farmers wife of tradition, who tolls
early and late through all seasons OF
the year. An endless round of cook.
ing, washing, churning, mending-
with no rest or exchange.
The day grows hot and her hands ar,
Oh! for an hour to cool her head
Out with the birds and winds so CHEEKY
But she must get dinner and bake he
bread.
The busy men in the hay field working
If they saw her saw her sitting witt
idle hand
Would think her lazy. and call it shirk
ing;
derstand.
They do not know that the soul within
Hungersfo for beauty and sights sublime
They only know they want their dinner
Plenty of it and just on time.
AS we recall the lines of the ole
poem how thankful we should b.
when we think of the many change
in the country home. We live NOR
simply, with some regard for the law
of hygiene and the labor saving de
vices invented for our use are as nu
merous as the sands of the seashore
A large number of the women on tn
farm pay weekly visit to town t,
dispose of produce, make necessar,
purchases and chat with their neigh
bors and friends. And to this class O
farmers wives / would propose va
cation from town going" for two o
three weeks prior to the Institute ant
then they can surely attend, at leas
one day, without deploring it as
waste of time.
Still, there is that other woman, tn
farmers wife of tradition and / sol
rowfully admit that she is with II
even unto the present day. All, wei
After the toll and the weary tussle
OF life is done and ShelieS at rest;
The nations brain and heart and mus
Her sons and daughters shall call he
b1est
Would they not bless her just a
fervently if she spent some time TO
her own enjoyment and improvement