The Bulletin. 19 



WOMEN'S INSTITUTES, 1909. 



The importance and worth of women's institutes cannot be esti- 

 mated in money value. Their objects and purposes are more far- 

 reaching than are those of men's institutes. Not only are the women 

 instructed how to do certain kinds of work in a more thorough and 

 time and strength saving manner, but they receive instruction in 

 many things that lie at the very foundation of health and human 

 happiness. The importance of home sanitation, hygiene, a knowledge 

 of preventable diseases and other things of equal importance are 

 called to their attention. The progressive and thinking women of 

 our State, realizing the value of these institutes, are showing a 

 willingness to co-operate with us in this work to the extent that 

 women's institutes will soon be as widely asked for and as well 

 attended as the institutes for men. 



We began holding women's institutes in 1906, in which year there 

 were 21 held in 19 counties. In 1907 we held 50 in 38 counties; 

 in 1908, 68 were held in 46 counties; and in 1909 we held 73 in 51 

 counties, which, according to the report of Hon. John Hamilton, 

 Farmers' Institute Specialist for the United States Department of 

 Agriculture, was one-tenth of all the women's institutes held in the 

 United States last year. The women's institutes are held at the 

 same places and on the same days that the men's meetings are held, 

 and often a joint meeting of the two is held in the afternoon, when 

 subjects of mutual interest are discussed. 



The following is a partial list of the subjects discussed at the 

 women's institutes : 



What to Eat and How to Prepare It. 



Suggestions in Household Work. 



Friends and Foes of Housekeepers. 



The Influence of the Woman in the Home. 



Foods, their Cooking and Use. 



Home Nursing. 



The Farm Fruit and Vegetable Garden. 



Farm Poultry. 



Butter-making on the Farm. 



Home Conveniences. 



Literature in the Home. 



Home Sanitation. 



Educating the Girls on the Farm. 



