FIFTEENTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK— PART X 673 



for that time and stay away. Get someone to look after the chores 

 and give him directions to act as he thinks best, and if the pigs get 

 into the potato patch let the chore man do the worrying — don't, on 

 the peril of your vacation, let him tell you about it. Then, after a 

 family has had a week or so of rest with no farm matters on their 

 mind they will be able to go home and if the hogs are out or the 

 hens have commenced to eat eggs, say "Never mind, the vacation was 

 worth it." ! : i ! j^ '?] 



The vacation need not be expensive. Eight or ten dollars would 

 get someone to do the chores and a tent could be rented at a reasonable 

 price. 



The Chautauqua, fairs, etc., are nice to attend, but what farm man 

 or woman is there, who, when the chautauqua session is lasting longer 

 than usual, will not be thinking, it's time those hogs were watered or 

 the bread box is about empty and I ought to be at home now getting 

 some of the work done so I can bake again before the next afternoon 

 session. 



So much for an entire change for recreation. What I want to talk 

 about now is the recreation that will last the whole year, can be en- 

 joyed by the whole family, will help the community socially and will 

 mean better farmers and housekeepers. 



This recreation is called "The Farmer's Club." They will do all 

 that is claimed for them, and are practical. They are successful in 

 some communities; why not all? 



These clubs may be entirely for social purposes, but I think it 

 would be better if a program pertaining partly to agriculture and home 

 economics "were given at every meeting. I have read considerable 

 about such clubs in Harrison county. Near Missouri Valley there are 

 several. These farmers and their families meet every two weeks for 

 an all-day session. The meetings may be further apart, varying per- 

 haps at different seasons of the year. The meetings are held at the 

 different members' homes and always mean a dinner, a program and 

 a social good time. 



While this form of recreation is not free from the farm problems, 

 I believe it is the form that will appeal to the average farmer. A bet- 

 ter or a newer way to do things is always a change or a recreation 

 and the farmers meeting at these clubs will always discuss the best 

 methods in agriculture and home economics. Every person usually 

 excels in some particular line, so a whole neighborhood meeting to- 

 gether is sure to mean improvement. As for recreation, did you ever 

 see a person who had seen or heard of a newer or better way to do 

 anything, that lacked enthusiasm? 



Now the thought I would like to leave is, let each community have 

 its organization for social and educational purposes. If we do we will 

 find that our neighbors are good people after all and are just as 

 capable as we. There will not be any more families living on the 

 same section that have never been at each other's homes. I really 

 believe that people were more sociable fifty years ago when the whole 

 family went visiting in the lumber wagon, than they are now when 

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