Health in Horticulture. 103 



There is no true economy in saving the expense of a girl in the 

 kitchen, and having the wife and mother lose her health, her 

 mind, or her life. The farmer will tell you, with an honest air, that 

 a hired girl is not to be had. Do not believe him. If he wants 

 a hired man, he finds one and offers wages that will induce him 

 to come and work for him. But the farmer's wife is uncomplain- 

 ing, self-sacrificing. She says: " /7e can't afford to hire any 

 help in the kitchen ; he needs his money for other things. When 

 the farm is paid for and the children are grown up, she can take 

 it easier." Yes, but she may find rest in the grave, or in the in- 

 sane asylum. Let the farmer's wife have help in the house so 

 that ?he can find time to look after her garden, and to prepare 

 food in greater variety, with abundance of fruit and vegeiables. 

 Not the wife and mother alone, but the whole family would be 

 the better for it ; and we should soon see the boys and girls con- 

 tented to follow the pursuits of agriculture and horticulture, 

 instead of seeking a precarious livelihood in some city or large 

 town. 



In just the opposite direction we find one of the hiost pro- 

 nounced causes of ill health. Within the past few weeks, scores 

 of young ladies in Wisconsin have graduated in our colleges and 

 universities. They have pursued the same courses of study as 

 the young men, and are not behind their brothers in scholarrfhip. 

 We smile approvingly upon them and congratulate ourselves 

 upon the success of co-education. But some earnest, thoughtful 

 men, physicians in whom the state has confidence, shake their 

 heads and gravely ask, " Are these to be the future mothers of 

 the republic? These girls, with bloodless lips, shallow features, 

 whose physical development is so imperfect ? " " Better that the 

 future matrons of the state should be without a university train- 

 ing, than that it should be purchased at the fearful expense of 

 ruined health.'' The young men on commencement day are pale 

 and thin, to be sure, but their muscles are firm, their chests are 

 broad, and they have an erect and easy carriage. We know that 

 a few weeks of rest will put them in good condition again. We 

 inquire, why this (Jifference? Are the young women possessed 

 of mental ability inferior to that of the young men ? We will 



