196 Missouri Agricultural Report. 



"When the annual Farmers' Convention met a few were there to 

 liear the lectures on corn raising and farm management, to contrast it 

 with their own methods, often to their disparagement. 



This year, by accident, I discovered among the attendants at the 

 Home Makers' Conference eight women who hesitatingly admitted they 

 were farmers. Then I knew the time was ripe for organization of a 

 club, and it was done. In unity is strength always, and in this contact 

 with her co-worker the timid farmers will be encouraged and strength- 

 ened to greater agricultural feats. 



We expect by exchanging experiences, by suggesting new ideas, by 

 relating results of experiments to aid and stimulate each other. We hope 

 to prove that a woman may grasp the details of farming as clearly as 

 she does other business, and that she can come into contact with all its 

 sordid details and yet remain womanly and refined. The woman farmer 

 will be none the less a home maker for she cannot neglect what is inherent 

 and instinctive. She will, too, be a citizen alive to educational and 

 spiritual advancement, for as a person of affairs she should broaden and 

 progress. 



A woman's love of nature makes farming a fitting occupation, for it 

 keeps her ' ' near to Nature 's heart, ' ' while her love for animals gives her 

 especial delight in her flocks and herds. 



Already we have had a number of applications for membership iu 

 tlie club. Other states are interested and the influence of our organiza- 

 tion is extending beyond our expectations. The woman farmer is a 

 practical fact now and not the picturesque chatelaine of broad acres, 

 whose agent turned over whatever his elastic conscience dictated. 



The members of the "Women Farmers' Club" must personally 

 superintend and manage their own possessions. They are real tillers 

 of the soil and as such will receive the recognition in the world's work 

 that they richly deserve. They will take their place in the already full 

 ranks of those of whom it is said, ' ' The noblest thing beneath the sun is 

 woman 's duty noblj^ done ! ' ' 



WOMEN FARMERS AND THEIR FARMS. 



Following the organization of the Missouri Women Farmers' Club, 

 an effort was made to secure a sketch of each of the officers, together 

 with something concerning their farming operations. In this we were 

 partially successful, as is shown by the following: 



