670 IOWA DEPARTMENT OP AGRICULTURE 



usually left to the last. It is regarded as a luxury and when the farm 

 is fitted up with the latest equipment then some thought is given to 

 putting in the water system. 



Sanitation is the subject that is of the greatest importance in the 

 welfare of the home. During the warm season this subject is not 

 neglected, but when the cold days come, we close our homes to the 

 pure fresh air. Open the windows — sleep with plenty of the life- 

 giving oxygen in the room. 



Do you know that it is estimated that one-seventh of all mankind 

 die of tuberculosis? The great prevention as well as cure of this 

 disease is pure air, day and night. 



Much is said of the practical value of co-operation. There is one 

 line in which we may all have a part, namely, co-operation of the 

 home and school. When we send our children from the home to the 

 care of the teacher, do we give her the sympathy and encouragement 

 in our power? She has her difficult problems to solve as well as the 

 homekeeper. We know how necessary sympathy is to our happiness 

 and success. Then pass it on to the country teacher, who strives to 

 train our children. 



Only one person in every thousand in Denmark is unable to read 

 and write compared "with seven out of every thousand in the United 

 States. The secret of Denmark's high place lies in the influence which 

 the teacher has upon the people. The teacher's high social rank 

 makes her leader in church and state. She is pensioned for disability 

 or age. 



Next to the school in the molding of character is the reading mat- 

 ter in the home. The traveling library may be brought to all. Thirty- 

 five states are now undertaking library extension work and twenty- 

 nine states maintain traveling libraries. 



Much is said of the drudgery of farm life. The basis of drudgery 

 is monotony. The reason housework is classed as drudgery is because 

 it becomes so everlastingly monotonous. It isn't the work itself that 

 grinds. It is the thought of it day after' day, week after week, stretch- 

 ing on through a lifetime. 



The housekeeper who allows herself to get into a rut is in grave 

 danger. Neglect some of the work. There will be dishes to wash, 

 beds to make and pies to bake a thousand years from now, but we 

 have only one trip through this world. Make the best of it. Be fair 

 to your family and to yourself. And here comes the practical side of 

 our country club work. We believe that we gain in efficiency in home 

 work by taking an afternoon every week or two, meeting one another 

 and thereby receive an uplift, physically, mentally and spiritually. 

 Work goes easier when the mind and body are rested. 



Have you ever, dear home-maker, looked about your simple home 

 and thought what a commonplace life you lead? Such thoughts come 

 into the minds of many women as they go through the common round 

 that makes up the work of a home. 



While all may not reach fame, all may win love and respect by 

 blooming in whatever soil they may be planted, cheerfully putting 

 forth all their simple beauty as do our humble garden flowers. 



