The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1924-05-01

lar vacation during the year, althC
a large per cent tell of scattered
days on in the family automobile
Lighting-The installation of q
modern lighting system would re-
lease some time in the 10 per cent
Of the homes, where kerosene lamps
are used. The initial cost would be
small when weighed against conven-
fence and comfort.
Heating-The average farm woman
has a large house to keep clean.
Nine thousand of these houses are
supplied with from one to two stoves,
not counting the kitchen range.
These add to the daily work of 54 per
cent of the rural women, who when
heat is needed not only carry into
the house the coal or wood to feed
the stoves, but, according to their
statements, keep the home fires
burning thruout the day. This con-
dition could be greatly improved by
some type of modern heating equip
ment placed in the basement, which
would keep the whole house COM
paratively warm and disable thruout
the winter, and prevent the conges-
ton that results when the winter liv-
ing quarters are limited to the
kitchen and one or two other rooms.
Power-As power on the farm is
one of the greatest time and labor
savers for the farmer, so power in
the home is one of the greatest boons
to the housewife. FOrty-twO per
cent of the homes answering the
question reported power for operat-
ing farm machinery. When we con-
slider that it is often a simple matter
to connect the engine used at the
barn with household equipment it |
seems a singular fact that but 15 per
cent of the farm homes reporting
have this advantage. If a gasoline
engine is used to run the feed mill
or pump water for the stock, why |
can it not do the same thing for the
machine, the churn, and
home water supply? 1t would greatly |
relieve the farm woman.
Water-It is frequently stated that !
running water is the pivot upon |
which much modern convenience and
turns. Only 80 per cent of
the homes report running water. No |
one single thing brings so much re-
lief to farm women in meeting their |
endless tasks as does the use of
running water. 1t is undoubtedly |
the greatest need in rural home life |
today on more than two-thirds of the |
farms.
The reports show that practically |
none of the farm women have hired
help. Only IA per cent of them re-
porting hired help for short periods.
In addition to her various duties
n the house, the farm woman Is
worker on the farm. The
igures show that SO per cent OF the
help with the milking, So
ger cent take most of the care OF the
,arden, 81 per cent care for the
chickens, % per cent help with the
livestock and "a per cent help In the
Ield Thirty-three per cent OF the
vomen reporting make butter to sell.
ince butter making, either for home
Sc or for sale, adds one item to the
arm woman's over crowded sche-
ule, it would seem to be JUSTIFIED
My when a good creamery is not
'ithin reach.
Automobiles and telephones con-
-ibute materially to community lie
nd reduce the distance factor. Sixty
vo per cent report cars and " per
ant report telephones in the home.
Interesting side lights revealing
hat was really in the minds OF some
[ the farm women when they filled
ut the blanks of the survey are
Town by comments written as foot
otes. These original and intimate
tpressions of opinion and convic-
on, which range from comments on
dividual difficulties to analysis and
lilosophy of the bigger issues OF
,untry living are counted among
Ie most precious records received
? the department. Briefly stated,
,re are some of the points OF view
pressed: Farm women love the
'untry and do not want to give up
, freedom for city life. What they
ant is normal living and working
nditions in the farm home. "The
untry offers greater opportunity for
tisfying life than the city, and
untry women have as great capa-
ty as city women for the enjoyment
life, but are more handicapped
It'll routine which absords their
ne and strength"
The farm woman does not wish to
It up with an unsatisfactory today
the anticipation of something bet
r tomorrow or in her old age, but
ants a chance to enjoy today as the
ly possession she is sure Of. She
els that she owes it to herself and
r family to keep informed, attrac-
re, and in harmony with life as the
ars advance.
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