4 6 



ILLINOIS STATE DAIRYMEN'S ASSOCIATION. 



'home to get away from it all. Now, if the boy was taken as a partner 

 with his father, his wishes consulted a little as to planning the different 

 work and how to raise stock. If he felt he was consulted in this work, 

 would he not have much more direct interest in the work? If the girls 

 were allowed an interest in the poultry, and her wishes were consulted 

 about the housei by her mother, w ould she not take a greater interest in 

 her* work? The only way for conscientious earnest work is to get them 

 interested, to have them feel they are a part of it; not a mere servant. 

 L«et them know you want their in terest. 



Then these long winter evenings — keep them interested. Usually 

 thei father and mother, as soon as the supper is over, the mother probably 

 gets her knitting and the father g ets the paper and settles down to their 

 own work, and the boys and girls are left probably to study their school 

 work or go to bed. Can't you mothers and lathers look more to the even- 

 ing enjoyment of these children? Why not try once a week probably, or 

 twice, to have the evening, after the supper work is done, devoted to the 

 children's amusement. Invite some of the neighbors' children in; have 

 the boys and girls feel you are interested in their pleasures. We hear 

 the cry raised every year of the boys going to the saloons and going to 

 the cities to saloons, there, probably to destruction, while the father and 

 .mother at home never once think of providing for their pleasant social 

 ovenings, entertainments, etc., at home. It seems to me it is one of the 

 vital points to be looked at in this country life; that is, if we wish them 

 to like farm work. 



The Farmers' institute, as 1 any of you know, first started I believe 

 the original bill introduced by Mr. Curtis and your Senator Aspinwall 

 and also the additional bill for the free library. This Farmers' Institute 

 is reaching the farmers, and through them the young people, the boys and 

 girls, in a way that no other movement has ever done. The Domestic 

 Science part of our College is reaching the ladies and the girls on improv- 

 ed cookery, improved household work and home decorations. These two 

 institutions are awakening the farmers. 



