Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1914-07-29

Miss CoYnelta Palmer Professor OF 1ohs
Economics. in Farmers Week Course, Y, OF
NJ. isis.l
Can art be really part OF home eco
nomics, or is il merely an establishment
which could be dispensed With in our
conception OF the economics OF livingf Does
IL contribute to the necessities of life, or
is IL superfiuous and useless, having no
recognized claim to existencef
An obscure writer has said recently in
one OF the newer magazies that three
things have their parts to play In true
home making religion, education and art.
The first two are essential and the last
desirable.
Think can show you how desirable
the latter is, and while cannot claim its
right 10 FIRST place, I can accord it its Just
due aud even discover for II an economic
function. First, let Us note its relation TO
home economies courses. In nearly all
schools and colleges where this work is
specialized for training teachers, art, in
some form. has a very prominent place.
In many institutions there is one in
structor whose whole time is given to this
subject alone, while in othersit Is associ-
ated with handwork and sewing. Wher-
ever Il is offered II Is applied art" and
not 'aart Tor arts sake, but for the sake
OF bsautifying homes and tastefully cloth
ing our bodies.
Dress designs are studied and developed
not merely a. a dress design in general
Tor the perfect Ague and standard coioring
OF hair and eyes and complexion tif there
IL such thingl, but the individual is con-
sidercd with all her imperfec,ions snd
peculiarities and. an endeavor made TO
dress her we'll.
Not only color. but cut OF gown has
much to do with the general effect. A
person well dressed win not be conspieu-
Gus either because OF being ovsrdressed or
underdressed. Her eloth hes will bring out
the best and most attractive In her form
and eoloriag aud will conceal any ugly
lines a. far as possible. II is oar daty to be
we'll dressed, no, Only for our own peaee Of
mind ana satisfaction, but because other
people have 10 look II US and We. should
desire to give pleasure rather than dis
comfort. Sometimes II IL possible TO buy
ready made the thing which suits our
need. At the present time perhaps that Is
the least expensive way to buy our
cloth We must. however. know the
basic principles Of art 10 choose wisely
and to the best advantage.
When Il Is more convenient or desirable
to have our gowns made, We should for
personal satisfaction know Just the best
lines suited 10 our particular figures and
not trust too much to a dressmaker who
may sew IA mode without much refer
ence TO individual needs. II We have not
money bat time then the whole gown can
be planned and developed, and money
saved thereby. Without little art train
ing this would be impossible, therefore
piled 10 dress.
The most artistic gowns are not always
the most expensive by any means. Hand
work and intelligent thought and plan
ming are the things which bring up 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. ! could show you
gown sold at thirty-ive dollars, the ma
terials OF which could not possibly exceed
ten dollars.
In what Is popularity known as "hand-
work., perhaps IL will Be little more
difficult to show the economic aspect. The
time is past when II is necessary or sdvis-
able TO knit stockings for the family or
make baskets or pottery for use in the
kitchen. There are, however, uses TO
which this sort Of work may be put, not
because ii 10 better for those particular
purposes than something else might be,
but because IL can serve the purpose and
In the making can give opportunity for
self-expression and relaxation.
While the bands are busy the mind aud
body are resting from the more arduous
duties. The very task becomes a source
OF strength, and we are better able 10 take
up the routine after q little vacation with
our pet hsndwerk. This, too, then is eco
newing our strength for the more i'm
portant duties of living.
II Is hardly necessary 10 point out how
closely allied to house furnishings Is this
knowledge of how to choose the thing
which will both serve its purpose well and
add beauty to the room In which Il l.
placed.
Economy il not spending Just as little a.
possible but in spending ali to the very
best advantage. This applies not only TO
money but to time and energy as we'll.
BY using our knowledge OF art Il may
be that we shalt spend few dollars more
in furnishing a room, for instance, bat
the result may be 50 much better and
more satisfactory in every way that IL will
last longer and give enough additional
pleasure 10 more than repay the amount
OF money spent. We are more efficient
when we are happy and contented, and
4a%.~&s~