42 



HOME AND FLOWEBS 



housekeeping shall we first take up for con- 

 sideration? There are so many questions 

 that it is hard to decide where to begin. To 

 open the acquaintance, we must choose a 

 topic that is common to the experience of 

 all. Let us make it Steps — TJic Hoiiscicife's 

 Steps. How many do you think you take in 

 preparing a meal and washing the dishes? 

 Have you any idea how far you travel? 

 Count the number tomorrow when preparing 

 breakfast. If 3*ou cannot count the whole 

 number, count as long as you can and guess 

 at the rest. Then tell us how many miles 

 you travel each day, considering that 2,600 

 steps make a mile. As you probably prepare 

 about a thousand meals each year, tell us 

 how many miles of meal travel you make. 

 I know of some women who, I am sure, have 

 taken steps enough to circumnavigate the 

 globe, and are not aware that they have ever 

 done anything remarkable, either. This is 

 just the point to which we wish to arouse 

 your attention — that you are doing much 

 more than you are aware of — and next we 

 want to consider whether it has all been un- 

 avoidable. If we find that, in many in- 

 stances, two steps could be made to do the 

 work of three, there will follow a saving of 

 thirty-three per cent — a saving which any 

 manufacturer or merchant would seize with 

 alacrity. I am sure you need such a saving 

 as much as they. 



I wish you would write us on this topic, 

 for it will enable us to form an idea as to 

 whether it is a profitable one for us to con- 

 sider. However, lest you may be too tired 

 by taking too many of these steps and can- 

 not take time to write, I hope you will send 

 us your address. By that we will know 

 that you wish to hear what the others have 

 to say. 



I think you understand that there is no 

 cost to you, as all expenses are paid by an 

 appropriation made by the state of New 

 York. 



Suggestions From Our Friends 



In response to this, many letters were re- 

 ceived containing valuable suggestions. We 

 have taken the liberty to print extracts from 

 a few of these letters here, believing that 

 the experience of the writers will be of value 

 to others: 



Systematic motlier hrings up her davghfe?' to 

 scire steps. — "The extra steps that we are 

 obliged to take, make the spirit weak as well 

 as the flesh. There are four little ones and 

 one big one that are constantly calling me to 

 step to their time, making it seem like trying 

 to march to two-steps and waltzes. I was 

 brought up by a systematic mother who had 

 by long, hard experience learned to save 



the steps, and constantly enjoined her daugh- 

 ters to do the same, and make their heads 

 save their heels. I have tried mat for fifteen 

 years and find it works well." 



More work acconij)Jis]ied Jnj forethought and 

 irhen mind and body are at rest. — '"When I 

 awaken in the morning I do not rise immedi- 

 ately, but I plan the work Ox. the day, and 

 study to see how I may sav^ sieps and ac- 

 complish as much v%'ork. I find that if I go 

 about my work thoughtlessly I travel over 

 the same ground several times when it is 

 not necessary. When I feel myself getting 

 anxious. I try tc relax mind and body, and 



HER BUSY DAY 



the work goes more smoothly and I accom- 

 plish more." 



Transform drudgery into work that is joyful 

 by looking on the bright side. — "To enjoy a car 

 ride I must not confine my attention to 

 counting the railroad crossings. I shall miss 

 the flash-light glimpses of hill and vale, and 

 the long stretches of fertile flelds. Now, it 

 seems to me the one thing that all workers 

 need — perhaps farmers more than town's- 

 people — is to keep above the thought of 

 drudgery — to look beyond the toiling to the 

 result, and so transform drudgery, which no 

 one enjoys, into work; and when work be- 

 comes spontaneous, it is no longer under the 

 law of necessity, but is joyful and free from 

 strain and pain." 



Xecessary to rest the body by feeding the 

 mind. — "As a class, farmers' wives are ex- 

 pected to do more work than any other 

 housekeepers. We do our own washing, 

 ironing, taking care of the milk, meat, chick- 

 ens, which women of other callings do not do. 

 We do our own sewing, making over an 

 infinite number of old clothes to save the ex- 

 pense of new ones, as the cash, when the 

 hired help is paid, is 'in the negative.' If 

 3'ou can make us understand that it is just 

 as necessary to rest the body by using the 

 mind a little to read — if the floor doesn't get 

 scrubbed so often — you will do much good. 

 I stopped to read your letter, with a table 



