252 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Jan. 



recreation sure to come, will be a feature of our home. Each 

 daughter may be taught in turn to do any kind of housework 

 tolerably, and some kind perfectly. To one may be given 

 the dining-room. Let her see to it that the table is fault- 

 lessly arrayed, that l)right silver, clear glass, snowy linen 

 and fresh flowers entice family and guest. To another, 

 the care of the chambers may be assigned. Haply she may 

 have, or learn to have, the nice knack which transforms 

 ordinary furniture and surroundings into restful hints of 

 pleasant dreams. 



The wife and daughters have a mission, too, in the parlor, 

 which must be, not a room shut up, too dismal and lonely 

 and dark for even a sensil)le fly to enjoy, but a light, cheery 

 place, where, perhaps, curtains and carpets have been kissed 

 so lovingly by the life-giver that they look less bright than 

 once ; where a bird may sing in its cage ; where books and 

 pictures look out upon one ; where dog and cat may fear 

 not to bask and purr ])efore the blazing open fire. In short, 

 in a room just bright and pleasant enough to be comfortable, 

 but not grand enough to disturb or alarm lest harm should 

 come to it, or primness be disturbed, our farmer's fiimily 

 may live. In such a home the wife may entertain those 

 friends who favor her with their visits, and dispense an 

 easy, natural hospitality, which is its own exceeding great 

 reward, and which marks one of the diflerences between 

 boarding-house and home, between happy husband and 

 lonely bachelor. 



Perchance the farmer who has gone with me so far agrees 

 fully that his wife or daughter should be a power in kitchen 

 and parlor, but shakes his head in doubt when I say that she 

 may have a duty outdoors as well as within. I shall try to 

 sustain the position that in many cases the four walls of her 

 home shall not limit the horizon of her industry. Does she 

 not know just what she wishes to have come from the vege- 

 table garden? Why may she not provide vegetables and 

 fruits for her table, as well as flowers? Let her select some 

 specialty, and pursue it with loving interest, with woman's 

 fidelity, until in her knowledge of this she shall not be ex- 

 celled. What the specialty shall be, individual taste and 

 surroundino;s must decide. 



