SIXTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK — PART VIII. 883 



) 

 planting. Would advise planting a few evergreens such as white pine, 



Norway and blue spruce, also a few other lawn trees, besides some hardy 

 flowering shrubs. 



Now might arise the question, does it pay? I think it does, in more 

 ways than one. In the first place, the comfort alone which you may take 

 in owning such a home, more than pays for all time and money expended; 

 and by adding a few games and amusements, you have succeeded in keep- 

 ing the boys and girls on the farm. Third, in case you wish to sell, you 

 will realize enough more to pay you twice for all extra improvements. 



WOMAN'S SHARE IN THE HOME. 



MRS. LENA WILLIAMS, CORWITH, IOWA, BEFORE HANCOCK COUNTY FABMEBS' 



INSTITUTE. 



I take it for granted a share in the home means a share of the work 

 as well as the profit. We could not expect to share in the profit if we did 

 not do our share of the work. 



When a man marries he expects his wife to share his adversities as 

 well as his prosperit5', and to know just what they can afford she should 

 know something of his business affairs, and as a general thing a woman 

 is just as anxious to avoid debt as a man, and would do different a great 

 many times if they knew their financial circumstances. 



I think if a woman looks well after her household affairs she deserves, 

 an equal share of her husbands estate. If at any time her help is needed 

 out of door and her health and household duties permit, she should 

 lend a willing hand to whatever she can do. And if necessity demands it 

 I think a woman just as much of a lady driving a binder, feeding plgi 

 or milking cows as doing any other kind of work. 



I am old fashioned enough to consider any honest-labor honorable. 



I do not mean to say that a woman need do all these things to earn 

 her share in the home, but she may do all these things if she likes and 

 can spare the time. 



I think every woman owes it to herself to spend at least an hour 

 each day in the open air or just as much time as she can, and you had 

 just as well attend to your flowers or garden and care for your poultry 

 and make your daily airing a source of profit as well as pleasure. 



Take the little folks with you and teach them to observe and think 

 of what they see. Let them If^arn something of insect and plant-life; it 

 •will take very little of your time and will help them with school work 

 later on. Early install in their minds the love of principle and truth. 



I consider this especially a woman's share of the work. And I am 

 sure I speak In behalf of all Mothers when I say, all the profit we ask 

 is they grow up noble truthful men and women. 



Conditions have changed since the age of our Grandmothers, when 

 home-making was all that was demanded of a woman. Today she is 

 expected to be a "general knowledge box," as well as a home-maker. 



