WOMAN AND HOME SCIENCE. 



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ABSTRACT OF ADDRESS 



BY 



Prof. H. W. PARKER, of the Mass. Agricultural College. 



If science be good outside of the farm-house, why not inside? 

 If it be a blessing in agriculture, why not in that which may be 

 termed domiculture — the great art, the hundred arts, of housekeep- 

 ing ? This has been acknowledged indirectly in our agricultural 

 Fairs, much of the interest of which depends on the lady-exhibitors. 



Such an appHcation of science is especially important to the 

 farmer's wife, not only because she has peculiar work to do, but 

 because she only — with few exceptions — is supposed to have strength 

 and wisdom to do her own housekeeping, — is not helplessly depend- 

 ent on Celt or Chinaman. 



Home Science is an appropriate study for woman, and certainly 

 would be a great aid and joy to her in her toil. The daily round of 

 in-door work is often felt to be discouraging and degrading. Life 

 seems to be wasted in endless cooking, scouring, mending. High 

 aspiration is quenched in a sea of dish-water. And every occupa- 

 tion must be degrading where there is not a noble participation in 

 it of the mind and soul. 



There is such a science. Knowledge so applied is brought to 



