1884.] HEALTH OF THE FARMER AND HIS FAMILY. 143 



but few comforting words and sympathies ; broken down before 

 her time that the mortgage might be paid, or the little fund in the 

 bank increased. Where was the comfort of her life? Did she go 

 anywhere ? Did she see friends ? Did she have books and 

 opportunities to read them ? "Washer mental capacity increased, 

 and her life made progressive and better fitted for an eternal here- 

 after, by the years that she spent as that man's wife? Forbid 

 that it should ever be repeated, and yet it is to-day, at this very 

 hour, thoughtlessly, perhaps, in many instances, but nevertheless as 

 effectually. Life's early dreams and hopes, the accomplishments 

 learned in maidenhood, even ambition itself is swallowed up by 

 the mighty maelstrom of work that ruins their health, inflicts keen 

 suffering, and finally demands life itself — work that should have 

 been, much of it, performed by men. There is a ray of comfort 

 here in the fact that the American farmer is far ahead of the 

 European in his ideas of woman's work, for there, in addition to 

 her household and family cares, she is expected to labor much in 

 the fields, take the entire charge of the herds and flocks, even to 

 the shearing of the sheep. But there she is better fitted for it, for 

 her brain is smaller and her muscles larger. The time is soon 

 coming, I trust, when woman's work on our farms will be lightened. 

 The churn and the cheese press will be banished from the house 

 as the spinning wheel has been, and thus a heavy burden lifted. 

 I see no reason why so much of the farm work should be brought 

 into the dwelling, as is now the case; it is as unreasonable as it 

 would be for the blacksmith to bring his work into the family 

 circle. 



There is a bright picture in the children of the farm. They are 

 the robust and vigorous little specimens that one would wish to 

 see. Strong and well developed, possessed of inquiring minds and 

 happy dispositions, with good digestive powers, assimilating their 

 food well, and consequently laying the foundation for future men- 

 tal and physical strength, presenting in the sum total quite a con- 

 trast to the children reared within the limits of the cities. This is 

 just what we should expect from the premises that we have 

 assumed for free exercise within the limits of their strength, per- 

 formed in the open air and sunshine. The food largely composed 

 of milk and fruit, and the long periods devoted to sleep, are just 

 the conditions for perfect health. The city-reared child shows 

 more refinement in form, features, and manners, but that of 



