Gilpin observer., 1920-08-26

though the farm woman's work has as
great economic Importance and calls
for as high degree of skill and as
wide range of information and
Judgment as does the work of the
of farming have been the subject of
many studies made by our agricultur-
nj institutions.
The data collected in recent survey
made by the United States department
of agriculture and state agricultural
colleges of 10000 farm homes in 33
northern and western states are es-
pecially valuable for this reason and
serve dual purpose: First, with the
introduction and development of the
farm bureau idea, now nationwide
in its influence, promoting as it does
"A self-determined program of activi-
ties among the people for the eco
nOmic and educational advancement of
rural life, the farmer and his wife are
destined to analyze their home
problems more and more and to make
use of the farm bureau organization
and the extension service for the
solving of those problems.
The farm is subsidiary to the home
as is the home to the farm. Here
men, women and children form
working unit, with common interests
and aims, and the farm bureau deal
ing with this family unit and with
community groups views home work
not as isolated and detached from the
farm but as one phase of the problems
of the farmstead. Men and boys work
primarily with production in the bust
ness Of farming. and women and girls
with utilization and conservation in
the business of housekeeping; but all
come together in a common interest
and for common goal-home-mak-
ing. Farming and housekeeping are
not ends in themselves, but necessary
means to the realization Of this goal.
& Makes Farm Life Better.
Prosperity on the farm and efiicien-
cy in the house, in their last analysis,
are only valuable as they make peo-
pie better, wiser, and happier by ere
ating and multiplying opportunities
and community life. Hence all ex-
tension forces, the county agricultural
agents, club agents, home demonstra-
tion agents. and specialists are work
ing In their respective fields with this
larger aim and purpose. This brings
about constant interchange of effort
and service. For example, the farm
NC t,tn ttx,it
beyond the threshold of her house;
when necessary, into such work as
poultry raising, Bookkeeping. and mar
keting of home products. In this she
frequently has the help not only of
the men folks at home but of the
county agricultural agent, the club
agent, and specialists from the col
lege. She may also call upon these
for advice and assistance in looking
after the water supply and other
phases of home improvement. Women
extension workers also frequently go
out of their special field of home
economics work to give advice and
assistance, thus expressing, 1t is be-
lieved, the true spirit of the Smith
Lever Act. which, drawn in broad
language. refers equally to the serv-
ice of the farm and home and in
cludes all phases of work that affect
wholesome farm life.
Women everywhere are welcoming
the services Of the home dem
tion agent much as farmers welcome
the agricultural county agent. This
sra
ployed on federal. state and local
funds. and devotlng all her time to
the advancement of home efficiency, Is
studying with home-makers the needs
of individual homes and communitieS
and is thus able, by linking her tech
nical skill with the practical knowl-
edge and experience OF the house
wives. to cooperate In the accomplish
ment of large results by providing n
channel through which the state agra
cultural college and the department
Of agriculture can deal directly with
rural home-makers.
Increased moral and financial sup
port of local communities during the
present fiscal year. 1920. for the
nearly 300 agents now employed has
shown the belief of the people of the
north and west In home demonstration
work, and has placed it on promls-
ing basis which looks toward It's es-
fablishment eventually In every agri-
cultural county in the north and west.
A few instances are here given to
show the methods used and results
secured through the partnershIp of
the housewife. the home demonstra-
tion agent. and the home-economics
specialist in solving some OF the live
problems pointed out in this survey.
One Modernlxed Farm Home.
A large family lived In small
house on "a prosperous farm; little
thought had been given to the ex-
penditure Of any part Of the farm