194 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



Women's Clubs and other similar institutions, have one primal object 

 in view, the improvement of the race. Among the women of the 

 cities and larger towns, much progress has been recorded resulting 

 from organization of forces. They have come to realize that one 

 person with a large expenditure of time and energy accomplishes 

 little compared with the combined efforts of many. Women are 

 awakening to the fact that they can be and are important factors 

 in the world's economy. 



Naturally the Women's Auxiliary is more largely interested in 

 whatever relates to the improvement of the conditions of rural life, 

 and sees that much may be done through combined effort. The 

 members would like to urge the formation of neighborhood clubs, 

 feeling sure that in time they would prove incentives to the accom- 

 plishment of better things. 



The life of country women, as a rule, is one of barren routine, 

 but needlessly so. Through a well defined effort and unanimity 

 of purpose on the part of but two or three individuals, a wide field 

 of self improvement may be opened up, accompanied by keen en- 

 joyment and the satisfaction of knowing that the world at large is a 

 part of individual life. Through the medium of a club many bene- 

 fits may accrue to the home that will add to its comfort and im- 

 provement as well as serve to raise its mental and moral standard. 

 It is a generally conceded fact nowadays that it is not complete 

 rest of the brain power that is necessary to prevent its breakdown, 

 but a systematic and well defined change of thought that brings 

 elasticity and strength. With the free action of the tireless powers 

 of determination and concentration, together with the exercise of 

 good common sense, the bodily and mental functions of the human 

 being may be so controlled and directed that the so-called menial 

 work will not drag down and debase the God-given power of thought 

 and reason, but on the contrary raise it to a standard of well ordered 

 mechanical work, the performance of which will prove beneficial 

 in furnishing the requisite amount of exercise necessary for the 

 maintenance of good health. A neighborhood club will be found 

 a pleasing medium through which this healthful and inspiriting 

 change may be brought about. The question now to be considered 

 is, how can such a club be successfully inaugurated? Let the idea 

 be formulated by the united energies of two or three harmonious 

 women. After frequent consultation and careful deliberation map 

 out a simple program for a year. Have the place of meetings at the 

 homes and meet once a week. No dues are needed, officers are 

 unnecessary, simply a tacit understanding that the hostess wil! take 

 charge of the program for that day. Her duties, briefly enumerated 



