680 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 



lived in the rural districts. To reach this great multitude with even 

 limited educational facilities for the study of domestic science and house- 

 hold art, will require a radical change in the methods heretofore pur- 

 sued. 



But the introduction of the study of domestic science and household 

 art into the rural schools, the high schools, and the normal schools is 

 only a part of the work that will be required. Winter schools for adult 

 women will have to be organized; movable schools in large number 

 will have to be sent out; suitable demonstration schemes will need to 

 be devised; expert advisers to visit country women will have to be em- 

 ployed; and publications adapted to the capacity and needs of rural 

 housewives will have to be introduced into their homes. 



It will take many years to perfect a system that will properly meet 

 the educational requirements of women who live in the country districts, 

 but that it is possible to establish such a system is shown by what has 

 been accomplished in this direction by some of the more progressive 

 nations in foreign lands. Austria, Belgium, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, 

 Switzerland, France, and the German states have for many years been 

 engaged in conducting schools of domestic science and home economics 

 specially adapted to country people, and also courses of study in these 

 subjects for students in fixed institutions in towns and cities. Although 

 conditions abroad differ from those prevailing in the United States, yet 

 the general methods that have been found serviceable in foreign countries 

 can no doubt be so modified as to be equally valuable here. 



INSTITUTES SPECIALLY FOR WOMEN. 



In securing the introduction of instruction in domestic science and 

 household art into rural communities, no better agency exists in this 

 country at present than the farmers' institutes. Work of this character 

 has already been begun. Last year 732 meetings for country women were 

 held by the farmers' institute directors in the several states. The reports 

 that follow indicate the states that have been engaged in this work and 

 the extent to which it has been carried. A simple inspection of these 

 brief reports will show how far short what is being done comes of 

 meeting the needs of rural people. 



The need for this instruction is so important and universal that it 

 manifestly ought to have a place in every educational institution in 

 which women and girls are taught. By organizing women's institutes 

 and local clubs for women and girls, and by sending out a body of capable 

 lecturers to give instruction in domestic science and household art at their 

 meetings, the way can speedily be prepared for securing later the intro- 

 duction of these studies into the educational system of the country until 

 ultimately domestic science and household art will be recognized as essen- 

 tial features in every well-rounded system of instruction, irrespective 

 of the location of the school, city or country, or of the occupation of 

 the people, whether on a farm or in conducting the affairs of a house- 

 hold in the midst of city life. 



