320 THE NEW AGRICULTURE. 



It is a beautiful little machine, containing a cup attached to a 

 spindle which is geared up to run at a very high velocity. The 

 whole-milk runs by gravity from its holder at the top of the 

 machine into the revolving cup, and here, by reason of the 

 difference in weight between the milk and the cream, the cen- 

 trifugal force throws the former out of the latter and a steady 

 stream of both substances issue from their respective orifices. 

 This method of skimming is not only much more effective 

 than the old way, but the skimmed milk yet warm from the 

 cow is available as feed. Moreover, the farmer need not 

 every day make a trip to the factory, but may defer doing so 

 until a considerable quantity has been collected. 



At threshing time also the women of the family are not 

 now burdened as in former times. In the first place the 

 threshing is much more quickly done, and with fewer hands. 

 In that part of the country where large areas of wheat are 

 the rule, the threshing gangs carry their own cooking outfit 

 and the meals are served in a tent or in the open, as the condi- 

 tions suggest. 



The fact that farming is now so largely done by machinery 

 has made the occupation available for women as never before 

 in the history of agriculture, and a steadily growing number 

 are turning to it as a means of livelihood and as a life work. 

 Good roads, the thicker settlement of the country, the daily 

 delivery of mail through the rural districts, the county tele- 

 phone lines which are being so rapidly installed all of these 

 things are removing bcth the fact and the feeling of isolation, 

 and with this feature eliminated and the heavy work capable 

 of being mechanically performed, women are finding on the 

 farm a good, wholesome and independent life. 

 There are many machines now on the market that do not 



