No. 6. DEPARTMENT OP AGRICULTURE. 639 



Such are the necessary conditions to peace and true family har- 

 mony. Is this not sufficient work for the housewife? Is she not 

 doing her duty as helpmeet in the truest sense? Does not society 

 owe her a debt of gratitude? Has it not been truly said, "The 

 hand that rocks the cradle rules the world." When a child suffers, 

 where does it go for sympathy? When sickness visits the family, 

 whose care is most sought? Women's mission is to minister to the 

 wants of the household, whilst men's is to supply its needs. Now 

 from the fact that woman is the weaker vessel, with a more tender 

 nature, it is plain that her duties are of a lighter and tender char- 

 acter, such as requires less strength. 



Most of the work of the field requires the strength of inen. It is 

 s'ich work as hardens the muscles, and causes the body to grow lusty 

 ynd robust. It is, however, work which benumbs the tender nature 

 of the woman, and makes her masculine in her manners. As ac- 

 knowledged before, there are conditions and circumstances under 

 which it may be beneficial for women to work out of doors. In har- 

 vest time where there are a number of women in the family and are 

 not all needed it is allowable for them to go out upon the field and 

 lend a hand in reaping the golden grain or help disposing of the new 

 mown hay. They may also help husk the maize. But in all such 

 work a woman should not be required to exert herself unduly and 

 at the expense of her own household duties. The enjoyment of 

 doing a thing on the field, or in the barn, pertaining to men's work, 

 should determine whether it be fit for women, and, therefore, bene- 

 ficial. Women should not undertake outdoor work that is tedious 

 and wearisome, and overtaxes the tender nervous system of a 

 woman. But, on the whole, I do not believe that women have any 

 business to do work of that sort. In case of emergency it is all 

 right, when there is no other way. As the ignorant remark that was 

 made, that my husband could not even change a shaft without my 

 assistance. No housewife that is faithful and dutiful, will refuse 

 to do what she conveniently can, around the barn and on particular 

 occasions on the fields, as a "a lift 1 ' to the husband's burdens, pro- 

 vided that work is reasonably within her sphere. For a fact. I think, 

 that where the women attend to the cultivation which their yards 

 and gardens require, they will experience enough of change from the 

 daily routine, and will find, in addition to their countless little trips 

 to and from the house, sufficient exposure to the open air and plenty 

 of outdoor work. Where a young couple start out farm life to- 

 gether, there are often great plans made and high hopes entertained, 

 and for the purpose of getting wealth they work faithfully and al- 

 most alone, early and late. 



There may be a temporal benefit, as far as the economic side of 

 it is concerned, but it can never hold out. I believe that many of 

 our farming people, and others for that matter, could enjoy life 

 better if they would only do what lay within their means. Hundreds 

 are old before their time. Rheumatic and crippled at and before fifty 

 so that old age is nothing but suffering and the fruits of their toil 

 can not be properly enjoyed. All violations of the laws of health, 

 we are told, bring their penalties. 



Where then, does the benefit come in, at last, if women, whatever 

 the motives or reasons may be, work out upon the fields and in the 

 capacities of a farm-hand, as is so often seen, where does the benefit 



