692 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 



sible they are going to purchase a medium priced electric vacuum cleaner. 

 From my own experience I know they will find this an invaluable help 

 and a great saver of time and strength. 



The aged grandmother showed us the large airy attic with its great 

 spaces for storage and ample room, too, to hang the whole washing to 

 dry in very cold or stormy weather. 



SAFETY IN THE BARN. 



Later the father, who with justifiable pride had been listening as the 

 son explained to us just how the electricity was generated and stored on 

 wash day, added a word, "I was always worrying about fire in the barns 

 when the boys and I had to be in there so much with the lanterns. We 

 had a good electrician wire the barns and milk house for electric lights 

 and now I feel much safer; we need not use lanterns at all and I am sure 

 the wiring is all right. With better light we get through our work 

 quicker, too." 



What matter that the living room wasn't furnished at once? What 

 matter that new curtains and rugs couldn't be placed in each room? They 

 have chosen the better part. Furniture, curtains and rugs may and will 

 be added little by little, while the larger and more expensive improve- 

 ments, if omitted now, would not have been added in years. 



Father, mother and grandmother are growing younger in the closer 

 companionship with the children which this mutual planning, mutual fore- 

 going, and mutual pleasure have brought about. 



There is no danger of that family's wanting to give up the farm and 

 move to town. When the father and mother want to turn the manage- 

 ment of things over to one of the sons there will be built near this one, 

 another house, perhaps somewhat smaller and if desired the same light- 

 ing system may be utilized for both houses. 



I feel sure somehow that on that farm progress has just begun. 

 Progressiveness begets greater progressiveness. Putting labor saving de- 

 vices into the barns led to putting the best conveniences into the home. 

 Putting electric lights into the house led to having them in the barn. 

 Being alert, open minded and up-to-date in thinking along one line leads 

 to progress along all lines. It means branching out fearlessly. 



This farmer is already breeding pure bred cattle and hogs. He and 

 his sons will be among the leaders in scientific agriculture in their com- 

 munity as they are now in scientific stock raising. The wife and daugh- 

 ters will be among the leaders in Home Economics. 



And such progress is contagious. Others about them, who have had 

 even better opportunity financially but have lacked the initiative, will 

 find that they, too, need and can have such conveniences. Although it 

 would be much better to put them in when building, with careful planning 

 a house otherwise satisfactory may be remodeled and modern improve- 

 ments installed. 



