The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1908-01-25
ms FOR
WOMEN Is IDEA
With the Elevation Of the Home One
OF It's Several Chief Objects AS
Told by Miss Blanche Maddox

jects OF the women's Institute as or
ganized in Canada and some OF the
States OF the Union.
t,statesmen, philahthropists and ed
ucatlonalists after many years of
thought and earnest endeayor In tho
uplifting of nations have arrived at
the conclusion that the only solution
OF the social problems today, Is rals-
ling the status OF the home II Is OF
mo use in wasting time In purifying
the streams II the fountain head IS
neglected Governments are realizing
this and are spending considerable
time in legislating for the uplifting of
the home life. Pure food laws are
being enacted, laws for the better,
protection OF women and Children
are being enforced, better sanitary
conditions are insisted upon, hut
while the passing sof laws is helpful,
yet. I think, the legislation that viii
tell most for the Improvement OF the
home, is that devised by the depart
ments of agriculture in the United
States and Canada. The purpose Is
to reach the women of rural districts,
giving them scientific knowledge In
the arts and handlcrafts OF the home.
Instruction is given by government
lecturers on the subject OF food, san
itation, how to beautify home sur
roundings, how to save time in. the
routine of daily work, and in short
any suggestions that viii be Of help
in creating the ideal home. This
movement is known as the women.s
Institute of America. It was inau-
gurated ten years ago by the super
intendent of the Farmers Institute.
Prior to this some needs were felt
in conducting the methods OF the
Farmers Institute. Specialists were
sent out from the colleges or expert
ment stations. Meetings were held
mornings. afternoon and evening, but
the subjects discussed were those re-
rlating to agriculture; shallow cultiya-
tlon, fertilizers and live stock were
the themes. AS the result the ladies
and young people did not attend the
meetings. the subjects became hack
neyed and interest fell off. The
thought of the superintendent in first
organizing the womeii's Institute,
was largely to help the Farmers In
stitute by having addresses given by
lady speakers on topics that would be
of interest to women and young peo-
pie. But the work was taken up so
eagerly by ladies all over the conn
try that there is now an Organization
consisting of nearly 1900 members
in the Province OF Ontario alone. In
the state-of Illinois the same organi-
zation exists under another name.
viz. Illinois Association OF Domestic
Science, ahlIated With the Farmers
Institute. In Minnesota and other
states organizations similar to those
of Illinois and ontarion, are being es-
tablished.
Changes in House Methods.
Where these organizations have
been working for any length of time
a decided change an. apparent change
is apparent in the methods Of house
keeping in the district. We no longer
find apple pie and fried eggs as sta
pie for the farm breakfast, because
women realize the necessity Of giving
their families foods suitable for the
building OF brain and nerve tissue
and now know that the energy used
up in digesting fried eggs and apple
pie. the first thing in the morning.
can hardly be regained during the
day. The secretary for agriculture
in Ontario made the statement that
he believed he was doing moro for
the advancement of agriculture in
spending money in the endeayor to
make housework easier and more,
pleasant for women in rural districts,
than any other scheme he had form
ulated Will he was in ofice. He said
that, hitherto. agriculturists-h been
working from the outside to the CEN
ter. they had been improving their
live stock, increasing the fertility of
their soil, and working forN an In
creased yield in farm products and
had, till this movement was inaugur-
ated. neglected the highest product
of the farm. their boys and girls. but
if housework could be made easier
mothers would have moro ime for
companionship with the children in
the ONO. Owing to changed condi-
tions the impossibility OF securing do
mestic help. to a large extent the
work OF the household as well as the
management had fallen ON the moth
er. the home maker. Therefore one
OF the great problems Of today Is the
solution Of the domestic labor DIM
Guilty. This can only be done by rc-
iucing the amount Of labor on the in
dividuai farm by organized effort and
cooperation. It has been found that
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