The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1914-07-29
WOMEN OF WAYNE
REALIZE NEED OF
GOOD FARM HOME
Farmers "Silent Partners
Organize to Improve Meth
DDS and Make Work Less
of Drudgery.

Until recently all the interest IN the
development of farm life has been
turned toward the study of better
methods of crop production. and the
conservation of the resources OF the
soil. For years appropriations have
been made by government and state
in order that the soil may be studied
livestock improved, animal disease
abated. and crop production increased
So much attention was paid to the
matter of production, that the import
ance OF the home life on the farm, and
the work of the fair women, the silent
partners" in the farmers business was
neglected. Inventors turned their
genius to the production OF modern
machinery whereby the farmers work
was made easier, but forgot to flnd
means of tightening the labors OF
sweeping and churning, cooking for
blue shirts and overalls. A state legis-
lature appropriated $4,000 to print
bulletins on the control of hog cholera,
and distribute them to the farmer,
but failed to pass on an appropriation
Of $4,000 for a circular on the pre-
vention Of diseases of children. Sure
ly the home, the power plant" of the
farm life, had been neglected.
Reveal Long Hours.
The last few years, have wrought
great change, however. The govern
ment, through the department of farm
management. has made study of the
farm home; has found that the
average working day of farm women
is sixteen and two-thirds hours; has
found that farm girls go to the city
for employment to avoid the farm life
of drudgery, and lack of social pleas
ures. Through there researches the
lesson has been driven home that
much can be done towards keeping
the young folks on the farm, by Great
ing better social life, introducing
labor saving devices in the homes, and
giving the country woman her just
dues
Indiana has done much to interest
the farm women, under efficient lead
ership. Clubs have been formed in
farm communities, boys and girls have
state now boasts Home Economics
Association that is bearing fruit in
many ways.
Mrs. Virginia c. Meredith a Wayne
county woman, has been foremost in
pushing this work. and the women al
over the state honor and revere hel
as the president of their association.
Wayne Women Active.
Under the direction of Mrs. Mere
dith the farm women Of Jackson town
ship organized their Homemaker's
club, several years ago. The mem
bers of this club feel that the socia
life, and the other benefits that they
have derived as a direct result O.
their association in the club, have
meant much to them in their home
life.
The farm women of Center town
ship have for number of years beer
very instrumental in helping tha
township hold a successful farmers
institute each winter. There have
been times when the efforts of these
women have been almost the sole
means of providing the necessar!
funds for the meetings. This yea
under the leadership of Mrs. Porter
Pike, the ladies of the auxiliary hav,
adopted a course of study in home
making. Interesting meetings arr
held and excellent programs hav,
been given. At a recent meeting Mis-!
McNiell from the Extension depart
ment of Purdue, gave a talk on "Foot
Values" and girls from the domesti,
science course at Earlham gave dem
DnstratiOn.