l''^''^ STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



Let us scatter the seeds He has given us to sow, remembering that success in life- 

 consists in the proper and harmonious development of those faculties which God 

 has given us. 



HEALTH, HOME AND HAPPINESS. 



MRS. E. F. SAWYER, Manton, at WOMEN'S SECTION, WEXFORD COUNTY Insti- 

 tute, Cadillac. 



"Among a man's duties, care of the body is imperative, not only out of regard to per- 

 sonal welfare, but also out of regard to his descendants."— Herbert Spencer. 



In studying the needs of the body, we find the Indispensable requirements to 

 be proper clothing, proper food, proper exercise, proper rest, proper diversion and 

 proper sleep. Such conditions, if carefully fultilled, would save many doctor's 

 bills. "Ill health makes men cross and women irritable; disease undermines the 

 judgment and gives the tongue and body undue haste of word and deed. No habit 

 grows so fast as irritability. Remove the cause of disease and it disappears; re- 

 move the cause of irritability and that too will disappear." 



If then our food affects our health, and our health affects our disposition, what 

 shall we eat that we may be sound in body and mind? 



Fortunately for busy housewives, it is the plainest food, that easiest prepared, 

 which is the most healthful. Fancy coolving or fancy dishes are not necessary, 

 though variety is. It is really sorrowful that so few housewives appreciate the 

 value of bread made from whole wheat flour. Why should the most valuable, 

 the most nutritious, part of the grain be fed to the stock? 



While it is conceded to be necessary that live stock receive a proper portion of 

 protein in their food, we seem to act upon the principle that the human body can 

 be kept in health and strength by any kind of food which pleases the taste, no 

 matter what proportion of life-sustaining properties it contains— or lacks. 



It is a wonderful fact that in the composition of a grain of wheat, we find all 

 the elements of the body in exactly the proportions required. The outer shell 

 contains the muscle making food— this is thrown out in white flour and the white 

 center retained, which supplies onlj' heat and fat and is almost useless for creating 

 muscle and brain. 



While wheat bread is the best, the most nutritious food for daily use known, and 

 it has been proved that it alone will sustain life indefinitely, while white bread 

 can scarcely keep one alive two months, unless other food is used with it. White 

 bread, butter and sugar, as well as potatoes, are all heat producers and contain but 

 little else; and if these be the only diet, the blood becomes impoverished, and 

 inflammation, headache, fevers and neuralgic pains follow, so that in spite of 

 the pure air, pure water and fresh vegetables to be had on the farm, the digestive 

 organs of the farmer and his family are liable to be taxed to the utmost. As for 

 fried potatoes, ham, salt pork, white bread, cakes and pies, though agreeable to the 

 taste, they are not the most wholesome food and are very hard to digest, especially 

 for children and those of weak constitutions. But by substituting whole wheat 

 bread— "Flouright" is a good brand— which is as easily prepared as white bread, 

 when well made and eaten with good butter and honey and a glass of millk, hot or 

 cold, constitutes a perfect meal, while if used with lean meat, eggs, cheese, 

 apples, pears, peaches, gi-apes or blackberries fresh or canned, would prove an ideal 

 meal for old or young. 



While the health and comfort of the entire household should be duly con- 

 sidered, it is absolutely imperative that the young and growing bodies of our 

 children shall have every opportunity to develop into strong and healthy men and 

 women. 



Every farmer knows in regard to his live stock that if the young, the growing 

 animals are neglected, abused, ill sheltered or poorly fed, or if their food lacks the 

 proper proportion of protein, he need not expect them to develop into the best 

 of their kind. So, likewise, if our children appear to be slight and weak in body 

 and mind, we may well laj' it to the food they eat and not to their mental capacity 

 for hard work. Not only should our children be sensibly clothed and hygienically 

 fed, but in order to attain to sound mental and physical faculties it is necessary 

 to provide healthful and proper diversion or amusements, for we must always bear 

 in mind "That all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy," and that the same 



