672 MISCELLANEOUS FARM SUBJECTS 



' all these give opportunities for helpfulness. The Pure Food Com- 

 mittee of the State Federation of Woman's Clubs has especially re- 

 quested the inspection of dairies, bakeries and meat stores and 

 desires that the reports on same be distributed. (Ky. Sta. Bui. 119.) 



The farmer's wife has the same need of study to keep abreast 

 of the times, to keep up with her children, and to preserve a joyous 

 spirit, as does the woman living in the midst of libraries, picture 

 galleries and lecture bureaus. Her early education, like that of her 

 city sister, needs constant polishing to keep it bright, and her sym- 

 pathies need to expand rather than to grow narrow and insignificant. 

 The very practical nature of the farmer's wife's occupation makes it 

 desirable to base that occupation on scientific principles as well as to 

 relieve it with a thought of poetry, history or fiction. 



Let some woman take the leadership, see the other women of 

 the community and arrange to meet on a certain date, either in a 

 home, at the school building, or in the grange hall. The meeting 

 may be held when the men have their club meeting, or alone, as 

 seems most practicable. Make the organization as formal or in- 

 formal as you please. Allow no discussion of topics during the 

 program hour except those selected for the evening. The President 

 should hold all members to a stringent observance of the rules in 

 order to make the meetings a success. 



It is well to have the men present at these meetings and to ask 

 them to take part in the program, but it is suggested that they may 

 retire to another room and discuss agricultural subjects while the 

 women are on the domestic problems, or that time be given to them 

 for a discussion of their own subjects to which the women will 

 doubtless be interested listeners. The men can doubtless throw 

 much light on the domestic problems of the home. Elect a chair- 

 man. Draw up a few rules by which each meeting shall be gov- 

 erned. These may be added to as the occasion demands. Each 

 club will need to be governed by its own local conditions. 



Then there are the school clubs just as important in rural com- 

 munities as in cities. What is the sanitary condition of your school? 

 Where does the drinking w r ater come from? How is it heated, 

 lighted, ventilated? Has it a school garden? Where do the chil- 

 dren play, eat lunches, and study? What can be done to better 

 conditions? Does the rural school education satisfy your ambitions 

 for the boy and the girl in your home? Can you mate them happy 

 and contented to remain on the farm where their help is so much 

 needed, if there is not offered in this day of progress a larger outlook 

 and a better acquaintance with improved methods in farming? 



Not all of the children attending the rural school will remain 

 on the farm. They may be better fitted for other callings. The 

 large number who do remain should have instruction in practical 

 matters related to their every day living. 



Young men and women going from the rviral school to the 

 college should not be handicapped by scanty preparations in Eng- 

 lish, practice in taking notes on lectures and the ability to express 



