X.). 7. DEPAirrMKNT OF AUKICULTURE. o20 



food chosen. It includes not only the theory of the etfect of certain 

 chemicals as found in the various soaps, washing powders and blue- 

 ings on fabrics, but the aclual pjactice of washing; not merely the 

 theory of suitability, artistic eliects, and cost of various textiles for 

 clothing, but practice in sewing and dressmaking; not merely the 

 theory of planning the work of the household systematically but 

 practice in housekeeping. 



Is this not a study oi as serious im[)()rt as any in the world, for 

 what other institution bears such a direct relation to the physical, 

 mental and sj)irituai welfare of the human race as does the home? 

 Why is it, then, that we are content with managing our homes ac- 

 cording to methods of fifty years ago? Why do many ])eople still 

 feel that any girl, by virtue of her sex, can manage a home success- 

 fully? it is as Avell to expect a boy, because his father is a physician 

 and he runs in and out of his father's office many times a day, to 

 understand the ])rofession of medicine, as to expect a girl, just 

 because she lives in a home and sits at the table three times a 

 day, to understand without study and training, how to select and 

 prepare the food that shall best furnish what the body needs for its 

 complete development and maintenance, at the most reasonable cost, 

 or to plan and carry on wisely the other work of the household. 



Until we Avomen realize that our business in life (for housekeeping 

 is the business of seventeen millions out of the twenty-four millions 

 of women in the United States), is as imiiortaut as any other, and 

 that it is, moreover, not drudgery but a [trofession, an art and a 

 science, and until we undertake it intelligently, with the purpose 

 of doing it, not merel}^ well oioiigh, but in The best possible way — 

 that is, with the least expenditure of time, energy and money, and 

 with the largest returns in the healtli, comfort and well-being of 

 the family, we are failing to do our part of the world's work. One 

 writer has said that the chief duty of a woman, as a citizen, is to be 

 a good housekeeper and liome-maker. This does not mean merely to 

 be able to wash, bake and sweep so that we are clean and have 

 enough to eat, with no strengtii or ambition left for anything else. 

 It is, instead, doing these things well, as a means to our end, sub- 

 ordinating the material to the higher side of life. It means so 

 regulating the household tasks that the mother may have time for 

 something beside actual house work, time for reading, recreation 

 and growth ; time to train the children in the home. The poor 

 woman who says she has no time to train her children because it 

 takes all her energy to feed and chjthe them is losing half her 

 heritage and is depriving her children of their due. 



Now what are some of the things our housekeepers need to know, 

 in order to lessen this cost of living in time, health, mon;\v and haj)])i- 

 ness? The largest amount of money spent within the average home 

 for any one item is for food ; and the greatest amount of time spent 

 within the household for any (me task is for food. The reason for 

 tills is that we often mistake quantity for quality, variety for well- 

 cooked food, high prices for nutritive value. Those who are inter- 

 ested in dairy husbandry find it necessary to spend time and thought 

 ir calculating the proper feed for their cattle, w;ith a view to pro- 

 viding the necessary food elements at the lowest cost. In arrang- 

 ing a dietar}' the housekeeper has other matters to consider besides 

 cost and nutrition. She must choose food that is also palatable, 



