254 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Jan. 



women into hats. He bad never had occasion to stop, but 

 drove to places on either side. One day he was much sur- 

 prised to be hailed by the wife of the superintendent of the 

 works, who told him that she wished to take straw to sew, 

 and desired to be instructed in sewing it. " What a mer- 

 cenary woman," thought the agent of the straw goods firm. 

 Later, a very different impression was produced on him by 

 her saying that while slie did not need to sew straw, the wives 

 of the workmen did need to, and she intended to learn the 

 work and then teach them. What a noble woman this, in 

 the changed light, her motive being known. 



The work which once these wives of workingmen scorned 

 to do, they now eagerly sought. They needed a leader, 

 director, and could brook none but one of some position in 



society. 



" I will work, and hope, and love, 

 Singing to the hours ; 

 While the stars are bright above, 

 And below, the flowers." 



The more familiar the farmer's wife becomes with the farm 

 and its management, the more competent will she be to 

 assume the management of it, should this ever be desirable 

 or necessary. One woman whom I have met, during an en- 

 tire winter, the first spent upon the new farm, milked the cows 

 while her husband worked at his trade in the city. Another 

 superintends the barn work, that the head of the fiimily may 

 be absent, working to meet the payments on the fiirm. In 

 a third case an educated young lady has had given her to 

 run her father's farm, he having turned his attention to other 

 business. In another instance the father suddenly dies ; the 

 daughter, a bright young woman, assumes his place, and man- 

 ages a nursery and fruit fiirm without detriment to the busi- 

 ness or to her. Again, a farmer dies, leaving an excellent farm 

 encumbered with debt. The widow manages the fifty acres, 

 takes an active interest in raising registered stock, goes over 

 her land herself, and is often followed by members of her 

 herd, that testify to her gentle ways and kind treatment by 

 the perfect confidence they repose in every one. This lady 

 would like to sell her farm, but she will not sacrifice to the 

 first indiff*erent buyer. She can wait. 



