The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1915-03-13
KITCHEN THE MOST
IMPORTANT ROOM
IN THE FARM HOUSE

The Importance to the farmer OF
having an economical farm house has
been emphasized by the farm achi-
tect of the Department of Agriculture,
who states that the mental and physi-
cal fitness of the laborers both within
the house and in the fields are vitality
affected by the building that affords
the family shelter. The average Am
erican farm home has failed to share
in the improvements that are every
day being made in agricultural condi-
tions, and, according to the architect,
is a rebuke to our boosted civilization.
Relatively, he says, the housewife of
a century ago with her fireplace cook
ing and log cabin was better provided
for than is the housewife today.
The most important building on a
farm is the home. The health, COM
fort and happiness of the family are
dependent upon its construction and
equipment, and unless these matters
are looked after the sanitary dairy
barn or the economically constructed
buildings for stock are of little value
Happiness and contentment in the
family are as essential to efficient SER
vice as improved tools and outbuild-
ings.
Although the housewife spends, in
many cases, a lifetime in her work
shop" the kitchen and family rooms,
she is not, as rule, capable of plan
ming a house in the highest degree ser
viceable and comfortable without as
sistance. Her help, however, is es-
sential to the farm architect, as the
result of his plans most vitality con-
Germs her.
In 1910 a western farm paper, at
the suggestion of the Department of
Agriculture, conducted a competition
for farm house plans. About $50
plans of farm houses were submitted
not one of which was fully satisfac-
tory. The larger number insisted on
some particular pet notion and en-
phasized a single feature to the ne
glect Of other important ones. The
men and women who familiarize them
selves with the work to be done and
then apply themselves to the single
t task Of dovising means, are the ones
who, with the cooperation of the far
mers, and their wives, can best handle
the farm house problem.
One Of the most important details
regarding the average American farm
house is that l. must he Inexpensive
The average annual net income of
farmer today, after deducting FIVE ner
cent. interest OF his investment, is
less than $400, This does not mean
that the houses may rot be attractive
They may, if inteliigently planned
with the help of vines, shrubs and
trees, become the prettiest spots in
the landscape. and more beautiful and
inexpensive than the crowded city
houses.
The tenart-house problem is grow
ing in importance as can be seen from
the fact that the number of rented
farms increased by more than $4,000
during the last decade. Today little
more than half the farms in this coun-
try are operated by the owners.
To Economic the Housewives
Strength.
The possible economy in household
labor and the conservation of the
strength of the housewife are two i'm
portant factors to be considered in the
construction of farm house. Pleas
ant and comfortable farm homes tend
to hold families together; but the
cheerless, unlovable and insanitary
houses drive boys and girls to the
cities. Investigation Of prisons, in
sane asylums and houses of correc-
ton, seem to prove the fact that the
sins which account for the existence
of these institutions are often bred in
inadequate and unhappy farm homes.
So this social aspect of the problem is
considerable.
The public is awakening to the fact
that better farm houses are needed,
and the special feature which many
farm papers now issue as a "House
Building Number" proves its interest
to thousands of readers.
The Office of Farm Management of
the Department of Agriculture has
now undertaken to investigate this