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tion work practicable for the rural communities because of the 

 lack of trained leaders. But the Young Women's Christian 

 Association will now send into communities desiring it a trained 

 secretary to organize and supervise the work. Several rural 

 communities, or even a whole county, may combine in paying 

 the salaries of one of these trained secretaries to supervise the 

 work with their young people. Another splendid address along 

 a line similar to this yet different was given by Miss Anna Taft 

 of New York on "The Church for Farm Girls and Boys." In 

 her address Miss Taft emphasized the fact that the church 

 should be a vital force in the community at work, not only on 

 Sunday, but every day in the week — helping people mentally 

 and physically as well as spiritually. Our president, Mrs. 

 Harbert, in her opening address and at other times during the 

 convention told us many interesting things of her trip abroad, 

 in the interest of the International Congress of Farm Women. 

 She spoke of how delightfully she was received and entertained 

 by the royalty and best people of the progressive little kingdom 

 of Belgium; of how upon every occasion all honor was paid her 

 as the American women's representative. Mrs. Harbert re- 

 mained abroad four months studying conditions of rural life 

 in seven different European countries. She said the little 

 kingdom of Belgium, which is only about one-sixth the size of 

 Oklahoma, seems to have most ideal rural conditions and is 

 the most beautiful agricultural country in the world. Prac- 

 tically every foot of ground is in a high state of cultivation. 

 They consider farming a profession, not for men only, but 

 women also. The traveling schools play an important part in 

 the life of these rural people. These schools are managed and 

 supported by the government, and some of the finest scholars 

 and instructors in their colleges and universities are sent out 

 to conduct these schools, which vary in length from three 

 weeks to four months. Not only the daughters, but the mothers 

 and grandmothers go to school. And in the evenings the fathers 

 attend the lectures on scientific farming and other kindred sub- 

 jects. Mrs. Harbert paid a high compliment to the women of 

 Belgium, who, she said, are essentially home women, and above 

 all else, accomplished housekeepers. Yet the women of Bel- 

 gium find time to study anything and everything for the better- 

 ment of their country. Before the close of the convention 

 Mrs. Belle v'D. Harbert, in her charming and sincere way, 

 very beautifully expressed the gratitude and appreciation she felt 



