60 
ILLINOIS STATE DAIRYMEN’S ASSOCIATION. 
a grand essential in happy homes, and there ought to be good health on a farm if an\ 
where. _ But some forms of recreation are necessary for health. Not mere amust 
meat, for recreation is not worth the name unless it counts for somethin^ and it ma 
always count for something—if the necessity is recognized—by way of improvemer 
and decoration of the home, and in personal culture. It is worth more to every ir 
mate of the home to have some time spent in affectionate improvement of the horn 
and appreciation of each other’s attempts, than the amount of gain in dollars an 
cents that the time could have brought in some other way. 
For culture, there are always books, of course. It seems presumption to sugge s 
reading to busy farmers and housewives who are sorely hurried from dawn to dark 
and whose day is pieced on by hours ravaged from the rest of night, whose wear 
heads make but a brief acquaintance with the pillow before they must rise a<min t 
direct the ceaseless wheels of industry. Yet 1 have heard a farmer-a pionler Nc 
braska farnier—say that in his opinion, after a farmer was master of his farm he wa 
better situated to follow the course of the times by reading, and could command mor 
care free leisure than the man of business. The daughters of this farmer have neve 
attended school, and yet so well have they used their one luxury of a library that the 
are better educated than most school-bred girls. They write a hand both legible an* 
pretty they express themselves m a bright, refined manner, and have the ability t 
read thorougnly,—a rare accomplishment. J 
There is the resource of music, also, one of the pleasantest recreations of th 
home. yet of ton tlieie is no cidequcite return for the outlay of time and. monev for lp^ 
sons, flowe\ei innocent the ambition of the young musician, it is soon corrupte< 
by the average teacher, who too often furnishes but superficial instruction—arouse 
an ambition but to shine before company, and directs the taste no farther than show\ 
meaningless music, and dwells piincipally on the importance of amazing finger gvm 
nasties. One might \ enture to suggest that one further mode of securing a genera 
tness of things in a home, is thorough care in good dressing—dressing in as good an' 
serviceable materials as can be afforded, and with as few and modest trimmings a 
allowable. I he sewing machine is a greedy thing in many women’s lives eatin? on 
time and nervous strength that should have been used in some more' refreshing f ecu 
pation; and the extra time and material taken to ruffle and shir a cheap dress after ; 
fashionable pattern would pay for much better and handsomer material for a simple 
gown. And if our girls are what they ought to be, to be in keeping with a good farm 
they will be fair and buxom enough to glorify the simplest cut of gown. 
f-n lessen the time de\oted to unnecessary or unprofitable work in the econonr 
of home is to increase the leisure for the main aim of happiness and helpfulness i 
considerate speaker at an Ohio farmers’ club said: “The greatest waste in th 
kitchen is in the time and strength of the farmer’s wife, for want of conveniences 
The location of a cupboard may make a difference of miles in her travels for a year 
The steep and incom enient cellar stairs in many houses are a source of wasted healtl 
?he stoveAnf closeathand?’* be “ TOd by haVing W00d and water on a level witl 
the best stu ^ an( i the best arrangements for a good home Warm 
well-built houses, appropriate decoration, thorough culture as fax as it goes the bes 
o music, and especially vocal music. And it is true of music as of some other things 
the best is not always the noisiest or most surprising, but frequently the simples 
and most enjoyable. The best of books and periodicals, also, howeve/brief the^eis 
ure ioi tnem. 
Above ali, a country home needs the healthiest and best women. Strong-limbed 
ne?v^ U nr a thP wor] ? e p who can work all day without exhausting tliei: 
neives or the tea-pot. If emulation will do any good, exhibit your daughters at vou 
fans, good farmers, along with their specimens of cookery and handiwork Be sur< 
there is something wrong if they do not compare in heartiness and sweetness 4lS 
their bread and cakes, or in brightness and good looks with their fancy work The] 
f“ ir m ?^ he P ha Y e overworked and suffered for proper comforts and recreations 
if they do not look as fine as your horses and cattle, or any other of your farm products 
St ° Ck P resumabl y does not suffer from nerves and lack of /ecreaUon, hence al 
the more reason of care for those mortal creatures who do. 
Society needs more true homes desperately. Homes where health virtnp and in¬ 
telligence are the greatest riches. Homes where the most varied interests o’f "indus 
tiy, culture and recreation center. There is no home too small for culture and recre- 
fitful ChMren are transformed mto^menand women besl 
Where, then, is a grander calling than that of Home-Building ? 
The foregoing essay was heartily applauded, the audience seemingly approvim 
every sentiment expressed in it. r 
Mr. Abe I orrester, of Racine, Wis., was called upon for a song, and upon beinj 
