WOMAN'S WORK 105 



The relief to farm women must come through 

 a general elevation of country living. The women 

 must have more helps. In particular, these mat- 

 ters may be mentioned: development of a coop- 

 erative spirit in the home; simplification of the 

 diet in many cases; the building of convenient 

 and sanitary houses; providing running water 

 in the house, and also more mechanical helps; 

 good and convenient gardens; a less exclusive 

 ideal of money-getting on the part of the farmer ; 

 providing better means of communication, as 

 telephones, roads, and reading-circles; and de- 

 veloping of women's organizations. These and 

 other agencies should relieve the woman of 

 many of her manual burdens on the one hand, 

 and interest her in outside activities on the other. 

 The farm woman should have sufficient free time 

 and strength so that she may serve the commun- 

 ity by participating in its vital affairs. 



We have found good women's organizations in 

 some country districts; but as a rule such organ- 

 zations are few or even none, or, where they exist, 

 they merely radiate from towns. Some of the 

 stronger central organizations are now pushing 

 the country phase of their work with vigor. 



