686 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 



of not less than 15 cents for the year. There must also accompany 

 this report a statement of the expenses of the auxiliary for the year, 

 which may include prize money offered for experiment work in agricul- 

 ture or domestic science research; rewards for extraordinary excellence 

 in agriculture or domestic science; the money cost of competitive work 

 of an eduational character along the lines of agricultural, horticultural, 

 or domestic-science development, provided that the scheme or plan of 

 all such special work shall have been adopted by the county institute 

 at its last annual session. 



Upon compliance with these conditions these auxiliary organizations 

 become, under the law, a part of the county institute, and the reports 

 of such auxiliary organizations are required to be combined with the 

 report of the county institute. By this method, while the autonomy of 

 the women's institutes is recognized and preserved, they are nevertheless 

 under the general administration of the county institute. 



THE KIND OF INSTRUCTION THE WOMEN'S INSTITUTES SHOULD 



GIVE. 



The object of the women's institute is to do for the woman in the 

 home what the institute is endeavoring to do for the man in the field, 

 namely, increase the efficiency of the individual and cause her to take 

 new and more intelligent interest in her occupation. The women's insti- 

 tute, therefore, should endeavor to reach every country home with a 

 school of domestic and sanitary science and household art; should strive 

 to introduce labor-saving appliances and conveniences into every home; 

 should endeavor to bring about conditions whereby leisure and opportunity 

 for social enjoyment and self-improvement can be secured by every 

 rural family, and whereby good literature, music, and artistic skill may 

 be introduced into and enjoyed in every country home, and the latent 

 talents of country women, intellectual, social, and religious, be developed 

 and employed. 



Farmers' institute directors who have not already begun the organ- 

 ization of institutes for country women, or who have not taken up this 

 work in a vigorous and determined way, should seriously consider their 

 obligation to aid the housewife with instruction as well adapted to her 

 surroundings and needs as that they are now furnishing is to those who 

 work in orchards and vineyards or out upon the farms. 



APPROPRIATION FOR WOMEN'S INSTITUTES. 



The funds that are provided for institute purposes are of the public 

 money and no law in any state has yet directed that the appropriation 

 shall be used exclusively in providing institutes for men. It is no answer 

 to this to say that the institute is open alike to men and women so long 

 as the instruction which the institute imparts is directed and adapted 

 almost exclusively to the lines of work which men pursue. 



