Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1922-10-17

! air and light-running water. It has
been frequently stated that running
water is the pivot upon which mod
ern convenience and comfort turns.
Yet only 80 per cent of the farm
homes visited in this survey have
running water available for use in
rooms other than the kitchen, and
only 65 per cent have it in the
kitchen.
This latter figure assumes a sar-
donic shape when we are told, in
the report Of this survey, that some
Of the running water is supplied d.
rectly from a pump, or possibly by
means Of a rubber hose, attached to
barrel, located inside or outside Of
the kitchen. However'-here is an
exception to be joyfully noted-"ln
&C per cent Of the homes visited
were found sinks with drains, though
in many cases the water used has
to be carried into the house by the
railful."
And in 60 pr cent Of these last
mentioned homes, into which all
water must be carried, this work Is
done by the women. In other words.
the simplest and most elemental OF
every day household helps, and the
one which undoubtedly eliminates
more drudgery than any other, still
is a luxury in the American farm
home.
No one thing brings so much re-
lief to the home as running water.
1t is the great need in rural home
life today on more than two-thirds
of our farms. The advent of the
bathtub, the indoor toilet, and other
ccnveniences dependent upon run
ming water, bring a sense of pride
and ownership which is as much q
factor in a woman's success in her
daily round of work as is modern
machinery in the success Of the
farmer.
Speaking Of bathtubs, which have
come to be recognized as a fore
gone conclusion in even the hum
blest city homes, only 20 per cent
of the farm women visited by these
government investigators could an
swer yes when questioned on this
point. Yet, if any woman in the
world earns the right to the rest
and refreshment which come from
a grateful Tubing at the close of
a hard day, it is this American
woman who is so active a partner
in the most vital Of all business.
In this matter Of farm home
equipment it is interesting to note
that while 95 per cent Of the homes
visited had sewing machines
these being labor-making as we'll as
labor-saving devices-only Al per
cent had carpet sweepers and IS
per cent put up with the discom-
forts Of an outdoor toilet.
The report also notes the passing
Of the hired girl" once so i'm
portant a factor in the economi:
and social life Of the farm home
Today the number employing hired
women the year round is almost
negligible, while only ii per cent
report employment of such help for
short periods, mostly during the
peak Of summer work. This grow
ing scarcity of domestic help serves
only to emphasize the need for sim
pHfying farm housework with mod
ern labor-saving devices.
BY this time the reader may
have formed a mental picture which
is not conducive to envy Of the
average. American farm woman
Yet we have neglected the details
the 43 per cent who have no
washing machines and still break
their backs at the tubs: the SO per
cent who help to milk, and the 8S
per cent who wash the milk cans
the 80 per cent who sell butter
and the II per cent who are allow.
ed to keep the butter money! In
spite of all this the report says:
Farm women love the country
and do not want to give up its
freedom for city life. What they
DO want Is normal living and work
ing conditions in the farm home,
The country offers greater oppor.
tunity for satisfying life than the
city, and country women have as
great capacity as city women for
the enjoyment of life, but are more
handicapped with routine which alb
serbs their time and strength.
Because Of the shortage of helm
prevalent throughout the country,
women consider it especially i'm.
portant that modern equipment and
machinery, so far as possible. do
the work which would otherwise
fall to them.
The farm woman does not wish
TO put up with an unsatisfactory
today in the anticipation of some.
thing better tomorrow or in her
old age. but wants chance to
enjoy today as the only possession
she is sure Of. She feels she owes
1t to herself and her family to
keep Informed, attractive, and in
harmony with life as the years adj
vance,
women realize that no amount
OF scientific arrangement or labor.
saving appliances WILL of them.
selves make home It is the WON.
ans personal presence, influence and
care that make the home. House
Keeping is business as practical
as farming, and with no romance
IN 1t; home-making is a sacred trust
| "A woman wants time salvaged
from housekeeping to create the
right home atmosphere for her
children, and to so enrich their
nome surroundings that they NAV
gain their ideals OF beauty and
their tastes for books and music
not from the shop windows. rhe
movies, the billboards or 1az9
band, but from the home environ.
ment'" va o1i