WOMEN'S INSTITUTE REPORT. 



been left out to advantage and more discussion allowed. The discussions 

 were of great interest to your delegates, and the fact that many farm 

 women can speak so well in this v fmpromptu manner, on subjects requiring 

 some special knowledge, was pleasing and significant. The standard of 

 the programme was, I think, on the whole, not so high as that of Conven- 

 tions in Eastern 'Canada. It is likely that by another Congress a better 

 programme can be arranged. It is no easy task to select from an 

 abundance of material and there were so many notable speakers present 

 at the Dry Farming Congress that it was felt thaht not to take advantage 

 would result in great loss. This also added to the congestion. 



DISTINGUISHED SPEAKERS. 



There were many prominent men and women at the Farm Women's 

 Congress as well as the Dry Farming Congress. It was gratifying to note 

 the hearty co-operation of men in the work of the Farm Home. Many 

 expressions of regret were heard that the Hon. Price Ellison could not have 

 spoken at the Congress and the Conference. It is plain from the speeches 

 made that there exists and will exist to a greater degree strong and willing 

 co-operation between men and women farm workers, and home-makers. I 

 cannot help telling of the great personal pleasure it gave me to listen 

 to speakers from such widely different localities, to the eloquent Persian, 

 His Excellency Kuli iKhau, to Dr. Aaronson, of Palestine, on the work 

 of women in the Holy Land, and to Dr. Bailey, whose books are so valued 

 by all horticulturists. 



CHILD WELFARE. 



It was thought fitting that a day of this big Congress should be 

 given to child welfare, and everything relating to children was talked of 

 by mothers and teachers, including the new science of Eugenics, care and 

 feeding of children, the special education of country boys and girls, the gen- 

 eral trend of discussion seemed to be that hygiene is recognized as a prime 

 necessity. The basis of sound health was insisted upon and everything 

 which would point to loss of strength or growth was decried. There 

 seemed to be a better understanding of the needs of young children for 

 rest, quiet, and simple fare, and all advice on this matter was greatly 

 sought for. The old idea that people are born mothers and nurses seemed 

 to have passed away and the young mothers seemed especially anxious \o 

 get all new and important information. 



WOMEN IN OFFICIAL LIFE. 



Considerable interest was evoked in the fact that many women in 

 attendance at this Congress are occupying official positions in the various 

 Provinces and States. This seemed to be regarded as a fact of importance 

 in the proper development of work. In some States the Women's Institute 

 Branch is a separate Department in charge of a woman superintendent. 

 In others there are women in charge of organizations for farm women 

 connected with the Department of Agriculture. In some cases the Exten- 

 sion Department of Agricultural Colleges takes charge througn a woman 

 teacher of the Women's Institutes or the corresponding organizations. It 

 seems also generally recognized that this work is more efficiently done 

 when there is a woman in charge of the central organization. Miss Stevens, 



