Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1914-05-12
HOMEMAKERS COLUMN.
Correspondence on topics Of interest % the adies
IA sofcited, Address: Editor HOAHNAxnn9'
CoLUHN. Oxford Democrat, South Paris. No
Art As q Part Of Home Economics
Training.

Miss Corpelia Palmer, Professor Of Home Eco
Monies, Farmers Week, Orono, Maine)
Can art be really . part of Home Eco
nomics or 10 It merely an establishment
Which could be dispensed with In our
Of che economics OF ivinaT +.
Does It contribute to the necessities OF
life, or 10 1t superhuous and useless.
having no recognized claim to existencef
An obscure writer has said recently In
one of the newer magazines that three
things have their parts to play In true
home NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS., Education and
Art, The Arst two are essential and tho
last desirable.
think can show you how desirable
the latter 10 and while l cannot claim 10
right to Hrst place ! can accord It hs
lust due and even discover for 1t an co.,
nomic function. First, let rs note its re-
lation to Home Economics courses. In
nearly all schools and colleges where
This work is specialized for training
teachers. Art In some form has very
place. In many institutions
there Ia one instructor whose whole
Time 10 given to this subject alone while
in Others It 10 associated with Handwork
and Sewing. Wherever 1t 10 offered It 10
"Applied Art" and not for "Art for
Arts Sake" but for the sake OF beauti'
fyiue homes and tastefully clothing our
bodies.
Dress designs are studied and develop
ed not merely as dress design In Rener:
al for the perfect figure and standard
Of hair and eyes and complex
ion, (if there is such thing,) but the In
diyidual 10 considered with all her I'M
perfections and peculiarities and an en-
desyor made to dress her we'll. ,
Not only color, but cut OF gown ma.
much to do with the general effect. a
person we'll dressed will not be conspic
nous either because OF being overdress
ed or underdressed. Her clothes viii
bring out the best and most attractive In
her form and coloring, and will conceal
any ugly lines as far as possible. 1t Ia
our duty to be we'll dressed not only FOL
our own peace of mind and satisfaction
bu, because other people have 10 look al
us and We should desire to give pleasure
rather than discomfort. Sometimes 1t II
possible to buy ready made the thinl
which suits our need. At the presen'
time perhaps that is the least expensive
way to buy our clothes. We must, how
ever, know the basic principles OF art &c
choose wisely and to the best ADVANTAGE
When it is more convenient or desir
able to have our gowns made, We shoult
for personal satisfaction know just TIT
best lines suited to our particular hg
ures and not trust too much to dress
maker who may sew Q Ia mode wlthou
much reference to individual needs. /
we have not money but time then TIT
whole gown can be planned aud devel
oped and money saved thereby. With
out little art training this would be i'm
possible, therefore art does have Its eco
nomio features a. applied to dress.
The most artistic gowns are not al
ways the most expensive by any means
Handwork and intelligent thought ant
planning are tho things which bring NJ
the price on the desirable gowns. BY
little training this can be done at home
and at least half, sometimes three
fourths, OF the expense saved. l coult
show YOU q gown sold at thirty five dol
lars. the materials of which could MI
exceed ten dollars.
In what is popularity known as "Hsnd
work" perhaps It will be little NOR
difficult to show the economic aspect
The time ia past when 1t Is necessary o
advisable to knit stockings for the fam
ily or make baskets or pottery for use II
the kitchen. There are, however, use
to which this sort of work may be pu
not because it is better for those partic
ular purposes than something els
might be, but because II can serve tn
purpose aud in the making can give op
portunity for self expression and relaxa
ton.
While the hands are busy the mine
and body are resting from the more ar
duous duties. The very task becomes
source of strength and we are bette
able to take up the routine after LITTLE
vacation with our pet bandwork. This
too. then is economic in principle, con
serving and renewing our strength TO
the more important duties OF living.
1t is hardly necessary to point GU
how closely allied to house furnishing Il
this knowledge OF how to choose th
thing which will both serve Its purpos
we'll and add beauty to the room II
which 1t Is placed.
Economy is not spending just as littl
as possible but is 10 spending all to TIT
verv best advantage. This applies no
only to money but to time and energy a
we'll.
By using our knowledge OF art 1t ma!
be that we shall spend . few dollar
more in Furnishing room, for instance
but the result may he 30 much bette
and more satisfactory 10 every way tha
it will last longer and give enough add
tional pleasure to more than repay th'
amount of money spent. We are NOR
efficient when We are happy and content
ed and therefore 1t 10 more economics
to have surroundings not only adequate
but pleasing. -,
It will cost US much more to do a bi
of hand work for one who has less tim
than we for that sort of thing, but tn
pleasure she will derive from tn
thought of another and the Satisfaction
of knowing we have frightened ant
Iiphtened another life, is sufficient rec
ompense. To do 1t for one who ha
more time than we have aud would o
could not appreciate the effort would b.
idle indeed and poor economy.
Sometimes We can spend money ant
save tim and energy which can be bet
ter spent In some other way, while again
We may find It desirable to reverse tn
situation. If our brains and bodies are
tired OF routine work, trip to an ar
gallery may be time economically spen
even though we may find 1t necessary t,
leave the washing Of dinner dishes unit
the next day.
The mere knowledge OF cooking ant
sewing may lead to life of drudgery
while il intermiugled with the develop
ment of the artistic side Of our natures
will surely lead to pleasure and profit
A woman with a bit of taste 10 color ant
design will spread beautiful feas
while her sister with no vision beyont
the food prepared will produce q YER!
ordinary dinner. The cost may be tn
same and frequently the latter will OK
coed the first. We eat with our eyes q
we'll as with our mouths and the SAM
food attrsctively served will yield NOR
tissue and energy than when poorl!
served. This is not mere fancy but
proven fact.
Art is not, or should not be, al
end in itself but should be used In ever!
department Of Home Economics to In
crease our efficiency by increasing oul
pleasure in living.