WOMAN'S WORK ON THE FARM 251 



keeping methods are discussed. When the organization 

 of these institutes was first discussed it was feared by 

 a great many that the movement would not be favoured 

 by the women throughout the country. So far as my 

 experience goes, I find that the women throughout the 

 Province of Ontario are taking up the work very enthusi- 

 astically. They feel that the time has come for new and 

 improved methods of housekeeping, and are looking for- 

 ward to the meetings of the institutes as a means of 

 accomplishing this end. 



Then in a paper on " Objects and Benefits of 

 Women's Institutes/' Mrs. J. Gardner (Kemble), 

 says : — 



Our farmers'' wives, aside from their attendance at 

 church, get out none too often, but coming in contact with 

 other lives brings new trains of thought, and relieves that 

 tension sure to follow the pursuit of only one kind of work, 

 and that made up of little things. . . . 



To make a success of farming there must be co-operation 

 between the farmer and his wife. I know of no other 

 occupation where the wife must so necessarilv be a co- 

 partner in the business with her husband. ... I once 

 heard a man say he now owned dollars where he would not 

 have owned cents if it had not been for a good wife. . . . 

 How is it that the women of Denmark and Germany have 

 gained the reputation of being the best housekeepers in 

 the world p . . . Why may we not, as women of Canada. 

 at the beginning of this bright and new century, increase 

 in power and prosperity in the same ratio as they have 

 done ? 



There arc mi many interests about the farm closely con- 

 nected with the work of the thrifty housewife that they 

 are almost a part of her work as well. It is not necessary 



