LABOUR-SAVING HOUSE-KEEPING 189 



those who have been anxious to make use of its 

 instructors and have demonstrations are prevented 

 by lack of suitable village accommodation. 



Whenever information which bears upon the 

 practical side of life can be supplied it is so helpful ; 

 for it means that the last and best word of experts 

 is brought within reach of humble cottagers. We 

 know that in farming and gardening if the best 

 methods and the latest theories are followed there 

 is a gain of increased production, a greater yield 

 of wheat, or a larger supply of livestock. Precisely 

 in the same way does it help women in their house- 

 keeping if they are directed as to labour-saving 

 methods, and have information as to food values, 

 rules of health, and the comparative values of wear- 

 ing apparel brought clearly to their knowledge. 

 This need not be done in a dull, dry way, but if the 

 lecturers are well selected and add a spice of fun or 

 humour to what they say, many will be glad, after 

 a long day's work, to walk across the village street 

 or even come from distant farms, through moonlit 

 fields, to sit in a warm, bright Village Hall and join 

 in the interest of discussion. Those women of our 

 upper classes who spend perhaps only week-ends 

 in the country, or who pass but a few months in a 

 large house which they frequent only during a fixed 

 time of year for hunting or shooting, hardly realise 

 the loneliness of life on a farm or in a cottage. The 

 farmer and the working man have interests outside 

 the home, they have friends within walking distance 

 with whom they can smoke a pipe, or a village club 

 where they can read the papers after work-hours, 

 but for womenfolk no amusements are provided. 



