Farmers' Week in Agricultural College. 243 



stitching and button holding are legitimate finishes, a flannel petticoat 

 without these is an ugly sight and there are many little touches here and 

 there that are charming, mid do not render the garment thus adorned, 

 too nice for everyday wear. 



The list of necessary articles in a layette and the number of each 

 is very short. It is as follows : three shirts, six bands, four dozen 

 diapers, three pairs of knit bootees, three flannel skirts, six or eight 

 cotton slips, four outing flannel nightgowns, an indefinite number of 

 little jackets of flannel or worsted, little flannel blankets with crocheted 

 borders or edges bound with wide wash ribbon, afghans, blankets, etc., 

 without end. The cap and coat may or may not be provided before- 

 hand. Have plenty of common bibs of strong material thickly padded 

 and several handsome ones of lawn trimmed with lace and handwork. 

 I have never had or felt the need of a pinning blanket or barrow coat, 

 as it is also called. These are worn to protect the flannels, but with 

 a properly adjusted diaper this danger is completely avoided. Many 

 like long flannel wrappers, and there are times when one comes in quite 

 handy. Be sure to make it with the so-called coat sleeves and fasten 

 the front with buttons or snappers clear to the feet. If you must have 

 ribbon ties let them be short ones right at the neck, and let all other 

 bows be firmly sewn in place. Restless baby hands untie ribbons as 

 fast as mother can tie them up, and baby mouths make short work of 

 their freshness and beauty. This same hint as regards sleeves and fasten- 

 ings, applies to the nightgowns and all jackets. Should you possess 

 any of the latter fastened otherwise it is a good plan to put them on 

 hindside before. Wrappers and jackets are worn for extra warmth, 

 and kimono sleeves and flowing fronts do not fulfill this mission, while 

 many flying ribbons are a nuisance plain and simple. 



In addition to this list, the outfit for the first baby will contain 

 one real dress, a white skirt to go with it and probably a special flannel 

 skirt will be necessary also, as the length of this dress and skirt will be 

 somewhat more than that of the regular slips and skirts. Let your 

 desire for lace and elaborate hand embroidery run riot here, for tfiis is 

 probably the christening dress and will be worn for the first picture. 

 It will do duty on the same occasions for number two and number 

 three, and perhaps for another generation as well. 



As the first size of little shirts will last only about three months 

 while the second size will answer equally well from birth to six months 

 or so, it is best to choose the latter, of silk and wool mixture, buttoned 

 all the way down the front. These will cost, apiece, from 75 cents up — 

 say 95 cents. 



