Pkoceedings of Seventeenth ISTokmal Institute 305 



Mr. van Alstyne asks that, so far as possible, reports of the con- 

 ditions in the local towns be filled out, as he sends these reports 

 to the ladj lecturers to aid them in preparing for the coming 

 institutes. 



Dr. Heaton suggested the difficulties in the report relative to 

 the local schools, asking if it would be necessary that every local 

 school be visited. Mr. van Alstyne said that it was 'desirable 

 wherever feasable, but that it was also desirable to prevent the stu- 

 dents coming to the institute in a body ; that it would be far better 

 to talk to the pupils in the school, determining whether or not the 

 school has medical inspection, definite instruction in nature study 

 and moral training. It was decided that the greatest benefit 

 which the farmers' institute women could be to the rural school 

 was to give the rural school teacher a vision of the possibilities of 

 her work. 



The question was asked: Shall the subjects of the afternoon 

 talks in the women's session be published ? Although this is 

 optional, it is desirable to state the subjects on the program, also 

 to state on the poster that home economic subjects as well as 

 agricultural subjects be included in the question box. 



The next question to be discussed was given by Mrs. Harring- 

 ton : What are we as women of the farmers' institute lecture force 

 going to stand for during the coming year ? Mrs. Jones gave her 

 ideas that first and foremost the women should stand for the home 

 as the center of all activities; that sanitation of the home, and 

 practical and more efficient work in the home should be especially 

 emphasized, efficiency to be obtained through systematic planning 

 of the work, more careful buying and better selection of materials ; 

 that fads and untried theories are to be avoided. Director van 

 Alstyne suggested that where a theory has been found to be worth 

 while it is desirable that it be commended. Dr. Heaton expressed 

 her belief that the women should stand for better health in* the 

 communities, stating that there is a higher death rate and more 

 sickness in the country than in the city. Th^ women of the insti- 

 tute should stand for better care of children, instruction in home 

 nursing, good music, nature study, recreation, better domestic 

 architecture and decoration, and most important — a water supply 

 for the home and a- system of sewage disposal. The septic tank, 

 when properly installed, is the best means for the disposal of 

 sewage at the present time. 



