OPPORTUNITIES FOR FARM WOMEN 165 



to say that the Grange has been the greatest 

 single influence in America with respect to the 

 development of the women of the farm. 



Another factor in the life of farm women which - 

 has arisen in more recent years is the farmers' 

 institute. The audiences in some cases are 

 largely of men, but as a rule the attendance of 

 women averages one-third to one-half. Until 

 very recent years the women joined with the 

 men in all sessions of the institute, and their 

 presence was recognized by appropriate subjects 

 on the programme, frequently presented by 

 women themselves. Several years ago Minne- 

 sota and Wisconsin initiated separate meetings 

 for women, held simultaneously with the main 

 meeting, for purposes of instruction in domestic 

 science. Michigan, a little later, developed the 

 "women's section' ' of the farmers' institute. 

 This is held one afternoon of the usual two-day 

 session of the institute in a hall separate from 

 the general meeting, and only women attend. 

 Two topics are presented for discussion, one by 

 a woman sent by the state, the other by a woman 

 from the town or a neighboring farm. Topics 

 concerning child-training, making housework 

 ' easier, home life on the farm, and even themes 

 relating to the problems that center about the sex 



