Deming graphic. (Deming, N.M.) 1903-1948, 1915-02-19

delivered during Farmers Week at
the College the past month:
What problem the school lunch
has been! And it is just now begin
ming to receive due consideration
from the domestic science field.
There is always something new ari>-
ing in the study of domestic science,
and the problems are always most
practical and worth while.
The school lunch box and II neatly
packed lunch containing the proper
nourishmcni for the child have been
lately one of these problems and with
il has come the question of how Ia
serve some hot dish at the school
house to 60 with this lunch.
The more We endeavor Ia work out
a plan to solve the problem this ques-
ton raises, the more we wonder why
this has not been thought of long
ago: for when we think of the dis
tances some children have To 90 on
cold mornings. starting early and re-
turning late, il does seem imperaliv"
that something warm should be serr-
ed them at their MONDAY meal.
The possibility of carrying ont the
plan and the success of the whole I'M
dertaking. may say, rest with the
teacher. for she may not only create
n cheerful and homelike atmosphere
during the lunch hour, but she NAV
make the work educational and at the
same time u distinct benefit Ia the
children: since the domestic science
principles can be applied to the dish
es prepared. And with these prin-
ciples the children may gain uncon-
sciously u most valuable training in
what we choose, formally. to call
manners" The association in thi, .
way will lead to little acts Of cour-
tesy. neatness. thoughtfulne>> aud
appropriateness. such ~ will often
cause great transformation in many |
children and make for II better spirit
in the whole school.
One solution to our problem that
presents itself is in the introduction .
of domestic science courses into the
rural schools. Such course, are he .
ing introduced rapidly into the school
throughout the state. and it j. Ia he
hoped that the teachers and pupil,
in every school. where il j. possible
will cooperate in serving ~omcthiu.
warm with the noon-day lunch. For
by 81 doing the otherwise cold lunch
may be made not only more enjoy
able. but more dgcstible and more
nutritious.
Aside from the dietetic value If
this method of cooperation. there are
many ways in which il affords oppor.
tunity to emphasize the acstheti,
phase of the work and of the child
life. The lunch should be arranged
neatly on the desk. first spreading y
napkin for a cover. Thus the prepa.
ration for the lunch aud the eating of
the same offer excellent opportunities
for lessons in table etiquette. ! he
lievr the teacher should supervise the
noon luncheon hour the same H. she
would u class exercise. Each child
should clear away the remains of hi,
luncheon. leaving the room in order.
One cannot begin too early Ia train
both boys and girls in ncarnc>> and
concerning proper eating habits.
The lunch should be- one that the
child should not be- ashamed tu IN
pack and lay ont on hi d,..k. Even
little children have pride. but We
sometimes forget this. Where lhcra
are organized domestic science elias.
eS the class prepares the hot dish
but where there j. no such class. con-
mittee> could be appointed lo serve
for week ut II time in turn.
Showers. entertainments. and ten ,
are means by which the school could .
arouse interest in the community and .
secure an equipment to beein the /
work, ut least.
An article "n equipment, suggestive
menus, etc. will appear ut u later
date.
PEARL G. MILLER
Professor of Household Economic.