New-York tribune., 1904-08-30
MoDERNIzING OF COUNTRY WOMEN
Changes in Social Conditions. Dress and
Home-surroundings in Greater Harmony.

Each year secs a steady growing change in the
conditions Of the country dweers. City and coun-
try exhibit longer the sharp differences of
twenty years The country man and more
especially the country woman, becoming mod
ernized until the shades of distinction between
them and city folk almost, if entirely.
Obliterated- SO writes observer who for many
years has oscllated between city winters and
try summers
There is no one cause for this change. continues
the observer II inevitable with the trend of
progress. The world moves outward as we'll as
onward Nowadays the trolley lands the two mile
away farmers wife close the home of ha-
friend for visit and a cup of tea. No need
wait for John TO harness up" for the horses
TO be freed from the demands OF farm work Rural
delivery Of mails, at least day is the
order in practically all the outlying country dis
tricts The daily weekly newspa pers. the ON
nscent magazines. keep the farm folk thoroughly
alive To the topics OF the times. Summer visitors
add their quota OF influence when they OF the
class that honestly aduires and genuinely appre-
ciates. rather than OF the snobbsh. iII-bred type
which the native people discriminatory rus
ticators." In truth. this type OF summer sojougner
is far rustic in all that makes for the best
of life than the sCorned country folk Withal. in
the right spirited intercourse the country man or
woman, gives well gains. Another factor.
potent in social influence. the local grange Of
the countryside. existing avowedly for purposes OF
common advantage The grange hall and its fur
nshings objects of zeal. quite the meeting
house and veStry were twenty years And
when grange gathering listens eagerly-as hap
pened consecutive meetings recently-to .
lecture and discussion The Best Way TO Raise
Sweetpeas' and DUTY OF the Individual 10 the
Community the observer realizes that both aes-
thetic impulse and civic righteousness flourish in
that community.
These few OF the general manifestations of
the modern spirit in country living Particular
dence one sees in the present day dress and
roundIngs OF womankind whose homes are quiet
ShirtWaiSt d3v he
modish hat-or hat all-the dainty better
gown" are Just surely TO be seen the country
girl on her city sister Perchance there is more
yet the country damsel, drlvinS nome "'tn her
randa Of toe country inn. The country girl has
mouse party" She knows OF Miss Roosevelt's
gayeties Just as The city girl on the verand does
tire consist OF calico wrapper and curl papers The
tune If her own aroused sense OF harmony had
forced her our the daughter would have led
her away from those frowsy entangements OF a
Even to the grandmother generation the modern
S one of the New-EngIand townships rides in her
town. seated TRANQUILITY the bags OF produce, a
modern hat in place OF the time sunbonnet,
old envelOping shawl Mother and grandmother
day Thy eow he m Of the St u Gt & z
position; they know. as well as can be known at
AS the change has had its marked effect on social
conditions and dress likewise has IL affected
home. Driving through the country nowadays
everywhere trim flower decked door yards
beds OF geraniums. nasturtums and sweetpeas:
cIumps OF sunfiOwers. dahlias and hoIlyhocks in
picturesque places. Hammocks are invitinsly hung
Windows show muslin curtains Pianos have dis
placed organs or made places for themselves
Houses and barns. to be sure. are sometimes
bizarre in coloring. But Natures wonderful
ting Of green assinIate beautiful land
scape even glarinE PinkiSh red and Sickly blue
Good browns. reds and yellOwS prevail outside
paint. fortunately. New EHSlGnd In particular
invariably green and white painted. left 10
the natural wood color. takes year by year
richer tones significant OF expanding life.
Without doubt these changes in people
themselves. In their dress and surroundings. make
the country pIeasauter to the city visitor. Country
living for half the year-many people say for
longer term-ls the perfection OF existence. when
the charms OF the country are added the amen
tiles and harmonies of the city. How great debt
We the cOuntry-concudeS the observer-we
seldom stop Emerson reckOned appre.
ciatively when he wrote Of the accomplishment OF
the farmers days-which the loving corporation
OF the farmers wife makes possible Where
the farmers days gone? See they hid in that
wall in that eXcavat ted trench in the harvest
grown what shingle and pine barren
Labor hides itself in every mode and form IL Is
rnassed and blocked away in that house, for
fifty years. 1t is twisted and screwed into fra