Missouri Home Makers' Conference. 573 



ENCOURAGING HOME CANNING AMONG GIRLS. 



(J. Ed Hall, Lamonte, Mo.) 



We are very much gratified to see such interest manifested 

 in the farm boy in way of corn growing and stock judging con- 

 tests, which tends to keep him contented and in love with 

 the farm. This is as it should be. But we feel that as much 

 should be done for the farm girls. 



Since the girls of today are to be the home makers of 

 tomorrow, if we are to have the best of homes we must train 

 the girls for this work. By the economical management of the 

 home maker there are greater possibilities to save money. But 

 not alone to save money must we consider this. The greatest 

 gain comes to the well-trained home maker in the form of 

 greater health and happiness for the family, less sickness, greater 

 opportunities to work, and to enjoy life. 



The qualifications of a good home maker cannot be valued 

 in dollars and cents, because their effects in the home cannot 

 be bought with money. These must come through careful 

 training. Feeling the great importance of this Mrs. Hall and 

 myself have decided to offer to the girls of Missouri from six- 

 teen years up a canning machine valued at ten dollars. The 

 requirements are that the girls, unaided, must can four varieties 

 of vegetables — corn, peas, beans and tomatoes — using no 

 acid, and exhibit them at the next Home Makers' Conference to 

 be held in Columbia, Mo., during "Farmers' Week," 1915, 

 where their products shall be judged and prize awarded. 



The aim of this is not only to train the girl to do these 

 useful things, but that she may be able to earn something for 

 herself which gives her a feeling of independence that she does 

 not have when she is entirely dependent upon others. They 

 will also not be so anxious to answer the lure of the cities that 

 leads so many of our girls away where they are lost to home, 

 friends and society. 



If we can interest them along these lines they will be helped 

 to see attractiveness of life on the farm and of fitting them- 

 selves for that highest of all callings — that of a well-trained 

 home maker. 



