594 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



Of course the woman's sphere is in the house, but she may be of 

 use in other places if health and household duties will permit. Right 

 here let me say. that I believe women are robbing themselves of many 

 pleasures and I believe it is a duty they owe themselves as well as their 

 families to spend a little time every day in the open air, for it is con- 

 ducive to good health, and that in turn adds to the happiness of the wo- 

 man, and so much of the happiness of the home depends upon her con- 

 dition. 



As far as possible keep everything about the home in good repair, 

 and this is a means of saving, for things kept in good repair will last 

 much longer. 



Take good care of everything about the home; if accidents occur, 

 if things are broken, repair them as soon as possible. Don't be afraid 

 to use a hammer, saw and nails, for you may be able to mend an article 

 in a few minutes which if used in a broken condition would be ruined. 



In the care of food, great care should be exercised, for by neglecting 

 them they become unfit for use. The farmer's family can have a greater 

 part of their living with but very little outlay by careful planning and 

 forethought. They can enjoy the first spring vegetables and fruit, as they 

 may be had quite early if planned for. Some of the seeds may be sown 

 in the fall, and come up much earlier by so doing. If the garden is 

 plowed in the fall it can be cultivated much earlier, and some time 

 gained thereby. All these things are a help, and it is the little things 

 that count up so fast. 



The same may be said of clothing as of utensils and furniture. Give 

 it the best of care and it will last much, longer. If rents are made lor 

 places worn do not wait until great gaping holes greet you, when the 

 mending is a formidable task, but remember '"a stitch in time saves 

 nine." I think the saying should be. "a stitch in time saves ninety- 

 nine." for it often does. 



I know for the busy housewife it is almost impossible to keep every- 

 thing up as it should be. and it is so easy to neglect the mending basket, 

 but by making an honest effort we can accomplish much. According to 

 my way of thinking, it is a saving to place everything in its place as near 

 as possible, as it proves a saving of time, strength and nerve force. 



To have a good supply of simple remedies and know how to use them 

 will not be a loss, and will very often save a doctor's bill. Now I do not 

 mean to try to prescribe in the place of a physician, but in case of colds, 

 etc., if taken in the beginning the disease is much easier cured, or at least 

 held in check, than if allowed to get a good hold. 



THE NEED OF DOMESTIC ECONOMY IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS. 



Mrs. Alice Merritt Parks, before Grundy County Farmers' Institute. 



Education has been making rapid strides in the past few years. The 

 c\d system in which students left their colleges and universities capable 

 of thinking in terms of "a" and "b," and with seven different languages 



