320 RURAL RECONSTRUCTION 



tary organisations, supported by the members, who joined, and 

 by well-wishers who subscribed towards the funds. Naturally 

 their work, coming on the top of the preparatory institutions already 

 existing, and the useful farmers' institutes, in course of time 

 attracted the attention of the agricultural authorities, which are 

 generally on the watch for innovations promising to benefit agri- 

 culture and to further country and community life; and, their 

 distinct utility being recognised, the authorities promptly came to 

 their aid in lending a slender pecuniary support, and otherwise 

 encouraging their formation and work. In the main, however, 

 women's institutes remain self-supporting institutions, relying on 

 members' subscriptions, which in Canada are generally fixed at 

 twenty-five cents (one shilling) per member for the year. Their 

 aims and objects are described as being : "To improve conditions 

 of rural life, so that settlement may be permanent and prosperous 

 in the farming communities: — 1. By study of home economics, 

 child welfare, prevention of disease, local neighbourhood needs, of 

 industrial and social conditions and laws affecting women and their 

 work ; 2. By making the Institute a social and educational centre 

 and a means of welcoming new settlers ; 3. By encouragement of 

 agricultural and other local and home industries for women." And 

 the motto chosen as describing the cause that members are striving 

 for is " Home and Country " — " Home " standing for the individual 

 as well as the national home ; and " Country " for the " Rural 

 Reign " of Thomson's patriotic song, as well as for the national 

 community. " Country " in the more extended sense is a matter 

 of course. We all love that. And the women who started the 

 institutes fully realised that whatever in their doings would benefit 

 localities individually, necessarily must also result in benefit to the 

 collective community, which is made up of parts. As for " Home," 

 there is considerably more that women's institutes labour and care 

 for than what is comprised in that term in its narrower sense. They 

 are well to the fore in stimulating and improving education — away 

 from home, though it be — more specifically education for the young. 

 It is they who organise school gardens, school fairs, prize exhibitions, 

 social outdoor gatherings — such as excursions and periodical fetes 

 combined with educational objects — local clubs and the like. How- 

 ever, the diapason note that rings through all this music is the note 

 of " Home," the individual home, the sanctuary of the united family. 

 ' Home " is to be made comfortable, healthy, attractive, happy. 

 The family is to be knit together. " Home " comforts, so it is urged 

 and understood, alone can, not only stop that demoralising resort to 



