Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1920-09-16

90 per cent have automobiles, "a pei
cent have vacuum cleaners, At pei
cent have carpet sweepers, 81 pei
cent have some kind OF lighting
system. and 20 per cent have gas OF
electric irons Many women are still
without any or all Of these conven-
fences and when their duties as pro-
durers Of garden. dairy and poultry
products IL added to the Homework
the burden Is more than the strength
Of the average woman can bear long.
The following description Of. the
working schedule Of large percent
age of farm women, although true
to the statements Of the survey, may
give somewhat exaggerated i'm
preston Of hardship. unless one
keeps in mind the motive back -
the work OF wife and mother and
the compensations that come to
every home maker In her round Of
activity for the happiness and com
fort Of her family. It should be
noted also that the various duties
mentioned as possible part Of the
days work would not all be included
in any one day.
II Is sunrise on summer morning
and a full days work Is facing the
farm woman. OF those who answer
ed the questionable about 80 per
cent are up at 3 o'clock. All must
rise early as the average working
day Is IL hours at this season OF
the year. The men are on their way
to the barn to feed the stock. Sixty
one per cent Of the women after light
ing the kitchen fire must go to the
pump or spring. an average OF forty
feet distant, to bring water for the
meal The tea kettle filed.
the fire burning. and the hearth
brushed. 81 per cent enter the oul-
try yard to feed the birds that are
Justify calling for their breakfast.
About II per cent OF the women re-
port hired help for about three and
,ne-haIf months in the year. They
nay delegate the poultry feeding to
he helper or while 80 per cent Of
he women take their pals and go
o the barn to assist in milking the
lalf dozen cows 1.-THE average num-
,er), the helper may be setting the
breakfast table. This meal n en-
owed by family averaging five per-
Ons.
Breakfast over. the diswashing Is
q he done: over 5000 Of the wO-
men answering include In this work
he washing Of the milk pals and
.7O3 wash the separatOrs. II there
re children In the home, n pause Is
made in the household tasks to get
hem off to school; lunch must be
repaired. 70" the district school is
n an average one and ne-half miles
istant.
The farm woman turns again to
or routine duties. There Is a seven
pom house (average) to be set In
rider. A covering on the kitchen
DOR in 81 per cent Of the homes re-
uces despised scrubbing. Rugs and
,rpets require brushing. I'd add to
,is "a per cent Of the women have
acuum cleaners.
The beds are made and at least
1e-half hour Is required for filling.
and cleaning the lamps in
le 70 per cent of homes where
mps are used.
It Is now time for some special
SIX of the day. Ninety-four per
mt Of the women make part or all
the family bread, SO It may be
king day; or II may be baking
"; or 1t may be churning day, for a
e 90 per cent who do this work; =
1t may be the day for the weekly
lshing. done at home in 90 cases
t of 100. For the 43 per cent !.
wing no washing machines, the tub, u
ard and boiler are brought into use y
d where water must be carried, un- |,
IS the man Of the family brings It 4
the woman must pump and carry q
pail after pail, as required. Run 81
~ water is found in only 80 per
1t Of these homes. In 40 per cent !
ter ID ObtMnable by some ar. y
lgement In the kitchen. ---'n~- y
After dinner has been prepared, 81
we'd, and the dishes washed, the u
,r-energetic woman may attempt Il
ne Of the weekly ironing. In that u
mt, 20 per cent will have gas b
electric iron to accomplish the n
k. E1FsFEiE,i.T i,TlFsFf'~ 81
cart Of the afternoon may be con- M
cred time Of leisure, with moth al
more ardusus to do than the In
ally mending, which occupies an y
rage Of three and q halt hours a
elk, or, as 90 per Abnt Of the wo- W
n do some or all of the family al
wing, part Of the afternoon may v,
given to that duty. Ell
rhe program for today may not o.
Jude the ironing, baking or mend m
!, but rather a trip to town, about IN
: miles distant to market the eggs IA
] butter and to bring back grocer bi
and other supplies. An automo-
e is part of the equipment on so hi
; cent Of the farms reporting. h,
The farm women who have the
It schedule and the easiest days ri
rk are those where the farms are W
equipped, indicating that s,
n every development Of the age re
, woman Is the greater gamer. ia
el
THAT RAILROAD VALUATION G