FIFTEENTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK— PART X 669 



mercantile business and the work of each must be carried on syste- 

 matically. This includes the farm home and the management of the 

 household. Housekeeping is a profession. There is a sentimental 

 and personal and a business side. Because women have wanted their 

 work to be personal it has been drudgery to a great many. Isn't it 

 about time that we put housekeeping on a basis of business efficiency? 



The installation of up-to-date machinery about the farm almost 

 invariably pays from a dollar and cents standpoint entirely, aside 

 from the larger consideration of making farm life more convenient 

 and congenial. 



What is a labor saving device? It is really a labor conserving de- 

 vice. That is, saving labor in one thing to be expended in something 

 else. It is any given piece of machinery by which any task may be 

 as well performed, but in less time and with less expense of vitality. 

 Unless it conforms to these conditions it is merely a luxury. 



The power washing machine probably should receive the first place. 

 When we consider that by the investment of twenty-five dollars the 

 machine may be installed. Including the interest on the investment 

 and the depreciation in value of the machine, the cost of the washing 

 is figured to be about twenty-five cents. What laundry or what wom- 

 an could you hire for that sum? 



The oil stove is largely taking the place of the wood or the coal 

 stove during the summer season. The cost is little more and when 

 compared with the comfort of working in a room with a stove that 

 does not give off ninety per cent of its heat, the cost is to be dis- 

 regarded. 



Have you watched a woman iron, counting the steps to and from 

 the ironing board for a hot iron, measured the distance and figured 

 ihe number of rods traveled in doing that family ironing? There is 

 no stronger argument in favor of an electric, gasoline or charcoal iron 

 than this problem in arithmetic. 



A bread mixer saves that tired back many an ache. The fireless 

 cooker has not found its rightful way into the farm kitchen. It is a 

 fuel saver as well as a saver of energy and care on the part of the 

 housekeeper. 



There are many small utensils suited to the use of individuals which 

 represent a small outlay of money, but mean a great amount of labor, 

 time and energy saved. 



That there be no useless time or energy consumed the kitchen 

 equipment must be properly arranged. To have the dishpan six feet 

 from the table where the dishes are washed, when it could hang over 

 the table or under it, seems a small matter to be considered. But 

 the dishes are to be washed three times a day, the pan must cause an 

 unnecessary twelve feet each time. Would you believe that you have 

 walked uselessly two and a half miles during the year? 



Labor saving devices and a convenient kitchen are good, but lack 

 of water and sewerage systems is the thing which taxes farm women 

 most of all. It is by no means least in importance, but it is the thing 



