The Harrison times., 1914-03-14
The Irish Homestead.


The great cooperative movement is
not without its press organ, The Irish
Homestead announces itself as the
organ of Irish agricultural and indus
trial development" Such 1t undoubt-
edly 1t. 1t does not, however, contine
itself to teaching the doctrine Of CO.
operation, but contains departments
dealing with all phases of agricultural
development, The number before me
has articles or comments upon the fol-
lowing subjects; "The Plea for the
Middleman," Seed termination and
Growth" Live Stock Notes" "Tuber'
culosis," Poultry" Creamery Man
agement" pages for Irish Country
men," 1t also contains a column de-
voted TO to the interests of "The Unit
ed Irishwomen." The Irish Homestead
Is edited by George w. Russell, a
brilliant writer, the clarity and force
Of whose editorial comments extend
the subscription list to many who are
not of those directly Interested in the
agricultural subjects which are the
maintops discussed in the Journal
The United lrishwomen.
In all his efforts for improving the
conditions Of rural Ireland, Sir Horace
Plunkett makes constant use of the
formula Better farming, better busi-
ness, and better living"
1t is true that better living Is
placed within the reach Of many an
Irish family because Of the returns
guaranteed from the better farming
and better business which come
through cooperation, but as Father
Fnlay says IN the article HERETOFORE
referred to, AT an early stage Of the
movement a scheme Of what was call
ed "home.brghtening" was put into
operation in certain selected centers
where successful cooperative societies
had been established Educated ladies'
who had experience IN peasant life in
| the more advanced rural communities
Of the continent we're settled In model
cottages. They received the women
and girls Of the locality and taught
them such elements of housekeeping
as would enable them 10 turn the re-
sources Of house garden and farmyard
into best account. Later they became
more intimate in their advice and as.
sistance and became instrumental In
the preparation OF the family meals,
suggested reforms In the matter Of
cleanliness and order, brought about
the larger use Of garden fruit and veg
etables and taugh methods Of presery'
ing them
Soon the men Of tho family, becom'
Ing interested, co,operated in the pro
cess Of homo Frightening, Simple I'M
provements were made, whitewash lib
orally applied, a kitchen garden cul'
tivated trees and flowers were plant
ed and shrubs and roses trained to
grow against the walk, The cost OF
this home Frightening scheme was ut
flrst betrayed by Sir Horace Plunkett
who devoted to II the salary attached
20 his Office Of yloe.presldent OF the
department Of agriculture. He realized,
however, that II was essentially a
womens work and should be In their
hands This led to the organization OF
"The United lrishwomen" AS Miss
Pilkington, one Of their leaders, says;
"The work which the United lrishwom'
on propose to do In rural Ireland may
be considered under three heads-ag'
rleulturo and industries, domestic
economy, social and intellectual de-
yelopment, Home dNlrying can be
much improved, and IL Is OF immense
importance that n sufficient supply OF
milk for every household should bo
available Many girls arc employed
In shops at bookkeeping, but few ever
try to keep their fathers accounts for
him. although quite capable Of doing
30 when they hrst leave school,
"The branch committee Of the Unit
cd lrishwomcn IN cooperation with tho
county committee under tho depart
ment OF agriculture, and assisted by
the farmers societies, could do for tho
farmers wife what the Irish Agrlcul'
tural Organization society does for tho
farmer"
Splendid Social Center
A member Of the Kilkoe branch OF
tho United trIshwomen writing to an
American interested in the movement
says "0ur neighborlng branch at
Doonaha (about llye miles from this)
has combined with the farmers and
others TO purchase u dIsusod creamery
and make II into a parish hall, whore
we will hold classes under the various
inslruetreases supplied by the eongest'
cd districts board the department and
others and where we viii also have
dances plays concerts and all tho
other things which mako life happy for
tho country side,
"om branch here had an entertain