WOMAN'S WORK ON THE FARM.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1776, 14 June 1913, Page 25

WOMAN'S WORK ON THE FARM.

LIGHTENING HER LOT.

Realising that the success of country lifo depends in very Jarce degree 011 tho woman's part, the United States Country Lifo Commission made special effort to ascertain tho condition of women on the farm. Often (its- report states) this condition is all that can be desired, with home duties so organised that the labour is not excessive, with kindly co-operation 011 the part of husbands and sons, and with household _ machines and conveniences well provided. Very many farm homes in all parts of Hie country are provided with books and periodicals, musical instruments, and all the necessary amenities. There are good gardens and attractive premises, and a sympathetic love of nature and of farm life on tho part of the entire family. On the other hand, the reverse of these conditions often obtains, sometimes because of pioneer conditions and more frequently because of lack of prosperity and of ideals. Conveniences for outdoor work arc likely to have precedenco over those for household work. Tho routine work of women on tho farm is to prepare three meals a day. This regularity of duty recurs regardless of season, weather, planting, harvesting, social demands, or any other factor. Tho only differences in different seasons are those of degree rather than of kind. It follows, therefore, that whatever general hardships such as poverty, isolation, lack of labour-saving devices, may exist on any given farm, the burden of these hardships falls more heavily on the farmer's wife than on tho farmer himself. In general her life is more monotonous and tho more isolated, 110 matter what the wealth or the poverty of the family may be. The relief to farm women must come through a general elevation of country living. The women must have moro helps". In' particular, these matters may be mentioned: development of a co-opera-tive spirit in the home; simplification of the diet in many cases; t.ho 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 developing of women's organisations. These and other agencies should relievo 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 community by participating in its vital affairs.

AVe have found Rood women's organisations in some country districts; but as a rule such organisations are few or even none, or, where they exist, they merely radiate from towns. # Some of the stronger central organisations are now pushing the country phase of their work witln vigour. Mothers' clubs, reading clubs, church societies, home economics organisations, farmers' institutes, and other associations can accomplish much for farm women. Some of the regular farmers' organisations are now giving much attention to domestic subjects, and women participate freely in the meetings. There is much need among country women themselves of a stronger organising sen so for real co-operative betterment. It is important, also, that all rural organisations that are attended chiefly by men, should discuss tho home-making subjects, for the whole difficult}- often lies with the attitude of the men. There is the most imperative need, concludes the American Teport, that domestic, household and health questions be taught in all schools. The home may well be made tho centre of rural school teaching. Tho school is capable of changing the whole attitude of the home life and the part that women should plav in the development of the best country living.