The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1922-05-10
Wants Her Girl TO
Marry a Farmer
THE FARM HOME is THE SAFE
GUARD OF FAMILY LIFE, SAYS
WOMAN WHO WON PRIZE.

The farm home is the stronghold
of real family life That is what Mrs.
Minnie Ellingson Topping of Bloom
ington Ferry, Mimi, wrote in reply
to the question: "Would You Want
Your Daughter to Marry a Farmer ?"
Her letter was one of two letters
from Minnesota farm women to win
prizes in a nationwide contest.
''There is special reason why I
would like to have my daughter marry
a farmer, Mrs. Topping wrote from
her farm home. 81 wish to have her
surrounded with interests that will
emphasize the best qualities Of her
soul and make use of the highest
capacities for which she, as woman,
is fitted.
''The country is an ideal setting
for family life. One of our big news
papers had recently this headline:
"Will the Family Stand ?" The very
hope of America today is in the fani-
ly. Anything that disrupts it makes
for anarchy.
Romance plays a good part in
Young life. Last winter I went with
ilClSllUOl oll q 1lll1h 1OuCS. SIoSS-
roads being drifted, teams met the
truck, with their cans of milk. These
teams were often driven by boys,
khaki-clad and fur-clad from head to
foot. They have had their thrills at
first hand. Young princes of the
farms that they were, they might
have been envied by any city boy.
''The boys and girls who go with
their father to the barn these early
spring mornings are introduced to
natures secrets through the new
calf, lamb or colt that has taken up
it's abode over night. Sex lessons are
taught right, because naturally.
my daughter, having been reared
with close attention to the fact that
water and heat in the home are neces-
sary to health, would be expected to
embody these conveniences in the
plans she makes for her home, with
her farmer-husband; and to insiijt
that sanitation and convenience be
the rule in the house as well as in
the barn. From childhood, my daugh-
ter has had small amount of money
to control, and by this has learned
the value of money. | would expect
her to formulate some system of fin
ance with her husband that would
bring her a share of the earnings of
the farm; it may be budget system,
a side line-like chickens, milk or
gardener a direct share of the
farms output. It must be something,
recognizing her partnership in the
enterprise, and adequate to maintain
her independence and self respect.
''She should be logical enough to
meet emergencies in sensible man
ner; if this meant the climbing of
windmill, or hitching up fractions
team or other outside work, should
expect her to do it efficiently. In her
devotion to husband and home, she
would not forget that she is a social
being. functioning for community
betterment through the mediums of
healthful amusements, mental alert
ness and spiritual uplift.
Believing that the country is the
very best place for putting into prac-
tice the ideals that have developed
with her character, for furthering
principles of industry, and the intelli-
gent administration of homely but
worthy tasks, for fostering love for
simple things, and for loving service
to her own and others, / would be
very glad to have my daughter marry
a farmer"