16 



more tlian I did.' The boys many times say, ^ If it liad not been 

 for your pushing and helping us to school, we never could liave 

 done so well.' All this time I have kept up with the general read- 

 ing of the day. I never counted my steps but once, and that w^as 

 when I spun a skein of w^oolen yarn. I went a little over a mile." 



Ithaca, N. Y. 

 Dear Madam : 



The lesson on Home Sanitation is only suggestive of condi- 

 tions which exist in some farm homes. In many cases it is impos- 

 sible for you to overcome the difficulties of which you have long 

 been conscious. Correct sanitation appeals strongly to women, and 

 they possess the ability to change many things which threaten the 

 lives and health of the family. Inasmnch as women give more 

 attention to these matters, the safety and health of the family fall 

 heavily npon them. We are asking you to seek patiently, even 

 though it takes a long time, for the conditions which supply pure 

 water, pure air and healthful soil. We do not wish to reflect upon 

 the mode of living of any one, but "simply to arouse thought and 

 attention to existing evils. There are problems in the farm-home 

 regarding the sanitation which the village and city is not forced to 

 meet ; and while the difficulties may seem insurmountable at times, 

 the effort is noble and the work is characterized by the spirit wdiich 

 pervades the highest type of the world's work — that which minis- 

 ters to human happiness, bodily, intellectually and spiritually. 

 Woman is the guardian of the health of mankind. She is not 

 divine. She cannot perform miracles, but she can by good sanita- 

 tion destroy germs and thus prevent disease. 



' Will you not study in your own home to obtain in as many ways 

 as possible conditions wdiich will secure healthful living. AVe hope 

 to hear from you and to know the difficulties from your standpoint. 



Nearly six thousand women in the State of New York are enrolled 

 in the Women's Reading-Course. It was the intention to issue a 

 bulletin this spring on gardening, but there is a limit to the appro- 

 priation and for that reason further lessons cannot be issued before 

 fall. However, the correspondence will be continued and we 

 hope to keep up our acquaintance in this w^ay until fall, when we 



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