Home Life on the Farm. 



Read by Mrs. J. R. Moses, at Bridgewater (N. Y.), Institute. 



The natural advantages of life on the farm would seem to a 

 mere looker-on to be ideal. As the traveler passes along lie sees 

 the pleasant hillsides and the fertile valleys dotted here and there 

 with comfortable-looking farmhouses, which should always be a 

 haven of comfort and rest to the dwellers therein. 



The life of a farmer's family is one of unremitting toil, long 

 hours of work, with little time for rest and pleasure, and often 

 poorly repaid with the coin of the realm. If we consider the prob- 

 lem from the standpoint of the farmer's wife, we will find much 

 to interest, much to improve. 



In recent years many labor-saving implements have been de- 

 vised for her assistance, yet the work of the housekeeper was 

 never more complex or tiresome, and a condition is sometimes 

 reached in which the woman's life seems bounded by the four walls 

 of her kitchen. The solution of the problem may be far in the dis- 

 tant future, but it will surely come. A step toward this end will 

 be the careful weeding out of those things that are unnecessary 

 to health, comfort or happiniess. Instill in the minds of the young 

 to be helpful in the little things that they can do. 



Habits of order are of great assistance to the housewife; the 

 hats and wraps, books and games are just as easily put in their 

 place, as left where they were last used. If the living rooms are 

 in.disorder, the duty of regulating should devolve upon any mem- 

 ber of the family who may have most spare time. What is first 

 needed is to free ourselves from the false impression that develop- 

 ment of the- intellectual faculties alone can educate the human 

 family. Mistresses must be trained thoroughly to understand their 

 work in all its smallest details. It is impossible for us to direct 

 others to do that work which we cannot do ourselves, and no other 

 business or calling is undertaken without some careful preparation 

 for the work to be done. 



Reform must begin with the upper classes, the daughters of the 

 wealthy must set the example and their poorer sisters will soon 

 follow. It might be unwise for us to go back to the olden time for 



370 



