1844 Keport of Farmers' Institutes 



it is necessary to have the best system of ventilation in the stables, 

 is it not quite as essential to have a properly ventilated home? 



If we would do all possible to secure health in the home, one 

 thing should not be omitted — we should be sure that the water 

 supply is pure. Dug wells should be so protected that no surface 

 water or other sources of impurity can leach into them. There 

 should be a proper place for the disposal of all sewage. One 

 writer has truthfully said, '' many pray for health, when the most 

 that is needed is well-cooked food and a plumber." 



The next economy we would mention is that of work, and when 

 speaking of this we realize that there is plenty of work to be done 

 on a fann, and in many cases there is insufficient help for its 

 accomplishment, but might not this condition be greatly relieved 

 if we would discriminate between the essentials and the non- 

 essentials in housework? 



We have a right to expect people to work and to be happy in 

 their work. I can think of no one who is doing things worth 

 while in this world who is not working. Our attitude of mind 

 has much to do with the accomplishing of our work, and if we 

 would rightly enjoy our daily duties we must recognize the fact 

 that '* work is not a penalty, but a spiritual opportunity of the 

 highest order." 



Simplicity of work and no unnecessary work is a good motto. 

 Are we doing useless things ? Did you ever take inventory of 

 your common tasks and find if every one of them had any real 

 reason for being done ? Take stock of the things in one room and 

 see if there is not some task which may be cut from the list. I 

 made a trial of this in my own home. In one room, where there 

 were many things to be dusted and cared for there was a " what- 

 not. " Now you all know what is generally found on a whatnot 

 and we had them all on ours. I looked it over for some time 

 and then decided that it was not pretty or useful and that nothing 

 on it was pretty or of use, so the " whatnot," the things on it 

 and I went upstairs to the attic one day and I came down alone. 

 I have been in homes where there were wall shelves with the most 

 useless things upon them. One woman had some dried grass in 

 a vase, utterly unornamental, but which she was caring for, 

 thereby adding to her work. Why not do away with the things 

 which will improve our rooms by their absence? 



