The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1914-06-23

will be nearer fifty than fifteen.
The idea is that of President Geo.
E. Vincent, of the University. More
than a year ago President Vincent,
who is ever on the lookout for means
to extend the usefulness of the insti-
tuition under his management, sug-
gested the plan. The school at Nor
ris seemed ideal for the purpose, sit
uated on a commanding site overlook
ing valleys and distant hills and the
spirit of country life betterment
abroad in west central Minnesota gave
promise that here, if anywhere, the
plan would meet with favor.
Idea Slow in Taking Hold
The scheme was taken up with E.
C. Higbie, superintendent of the West
Central school. Mr.. Higbie is the
father of the betterment movement
in his part of the state, and the plan
met with instant favor on his part.
He Immediately began to send out
word, through the young men and
young women of the school to their
mothers, and otherwise. There was,
however, a disappointing lack of re-
Spouse. Vacations were something out
of line with the lives of farm wom-
en-at least, summer vacations were.
No one came, in spite of the fact
that Accommodations at the school for
vacation week" were placed at the
nominal price of about so cents
day.
Students Spread the News
Mr.. Higbie was not discouraged,
though. Last winter he began to urge
the same plan. Boys and girls went
home to talk the plan over with their
mothers and fathers, and fathers be-
gan to urge mothers to avail them
selves of the opportunity to take a
rest in advance of the busy harvest
ing season. This time results were
obtained. Fifteen women appeared at
the school at the time designated.
And they had a good time. One of
the woman said at the close of her
stay that she had never before had
so good a time. She was the wife
of well-to-do farmer, too; wom-
an whose husband had means and
could we'll afford to have his wife
take rest now and then. Other
women expressed themselves in much
the same way. They all said they
were going home to tell others about
the plan in order that they, too, might
avail themselves of it another year
Profitable Entertainment Prepared
While the week was intended to
be just a relaxation period, and not
at all short course in domestic eco
nomy and household affairs, the wom-
en- were not left to their own devices
I for entertainment Miss Irma Hathorn,
of the department or household art
in the school, as well as others, gave
their time to planning entertainment
/ for the women visitors, and such en-
/ tertainment, while varied and useful,
was not crowded upon the guests.
There are ample time in between the
various programs for afternoon maps,
for reading, and for fancywork such
as many INDUCED in.
One afternoon physicians from Nor
ris gave talks. Their subjects were
hygiene and sanitation, and such SUBJ
iects as the care of the teeth, of the
eyes, ears, nose, and throat, were dis
cussed. Another afternoon there was
a four o'clock tea.-or to be still more
exact, four o'clock coffee. Still again,
members of the Morris Automobile
club went out to the school with their
machines and took the guests for a
ride about Morris and it's environs.
Talks on better country schools &C.
cupied still another period; readings
by Miss Frances P. Lapham, and
music by Mr.. Meyer, of the depart
ment of music, were other features
that gave great pleasure. When SUM-
day afternoon came, a vesper SER
vice was held, with singing by the
women and the students attending
the summer school and talks by two
of the teaching staff, including the
reading of king Robert of Sicily
by Miss Lapham. Mr.. Higbie pre-
sided
The Scheme Is Educational
1t should not be understood at all
that the plan is in any sense a chart
table one. There is no element of
charity in it. The main idea is to give
. an outing to those who care to take
it. If there is any motive beyond this
it is to teach farm women that one
way to the improvement Of country
life conditions is to take necessary
rest. Much emphasis is being placed
upon the betterment of farm home