168 Missouri Agricultural Report. 



hasten the time when you may begin. You have not spun and 

 woven household linens that will last a generation, and it is only fair 

 that you should contribute of the fruits of your modern labors." 

 Yes, if she can work and save money she can lessen the time of 

 waiting. The question is, how to be prepared both to earn money 

 and to make a home. To live without a partner or with him, ac- 

 cording to circumstances? I recommend a study of home economics 

 as a preparation for both. 



At present the demand for well-trained and experienced teach- 

 ers of this subject is greater than the supply, and the demand is 

 increasing so rapidly that it will probably continue ahead of the 

 supply for some time to come. One difficulty we have in seeking to 

 train teachers of this subject is that the girls are not willing to 

 take the time necessary. Four or five years looks like a long time 

 to the girl entering college. She certainly will be married before 

 that time, she thinks, and she wants to do some teaching first. It 

 is a long time, and, of course, many girls cannot afford to spend it. 

 But many more could, if they planned for it and realized its value. 

 Many girls spend more money at college than they need, and many 

 more could work part of their way through college than do. Be- 

 cause some teachers have succeeded with only a two-years' prepara- 

 tion does not mean that the average girl can, especially now that 

 standards are going up with the increase in better-trained candi- 

 dates. A training that is to prepare for home making and the 

 outside earning of money, early or late as there is need, certainly 

 should be made as thoroughly as resources will permit. I dwell 

 upon this point because it is the one I know most about. 



But teaching is not the only outside use that can be made of 

 home economics training. There is a demand for trained women to 

 be matrons and housekeepers, or housemothers, in colleges, dormi- 

 tories and institutions of all kinds. Hospitals are asking for trained 

 dietitians. There is a call for caterers, artistic dressmakers, milli- 

 ners and house decorators. We need women with brains, conscience 

 and a business ability to run laundries. 



"But," perhaps you say, "a girl couldn't do these things and 

 live at home on a farm, and some of us live on farms, and we want 

 our daughters at home. We quite agree that she should have this 

 domestic science training, but then let her come home and help her 

 mother for awhile." 



Certainly, if her mother needs her help. 



"But," some of you may say, "we don't actually need her help, 

 but we want her company after these years of separation, and you 



