Page 4 Advertisements Column 4

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2001, 9 February 1907, Page 4

DOMESTIC SCIENCE. (Christchurch Pross.) The study of domestic science, or homo economics, lias been sot on foot, in a more or less elementary and incomplete dogreo, in various parts of New Zealand. It lias become recognised as a part, and by no means the leas valuable part, of the technical education which is now so pop ula ran u so far as cookery and sowing are concerned it is taught to most schoolgirls. Important, however, as these subjects arcs they constitute but a small proportion of the subjects covered by the term “Home Kconomics.” The letter from Mr John Siudholmo which was read at yesterday’s meeting of the Board of Governor of Canterbury College, sets forth clearly and intelligibly tho great variety of matters involved in the study, and shows its immense importance to tho comunnity. lie assorts, very truly, that the condition of the avorago homo is ail index to tho condition of the country, and that tho character of the homo, depends on- I tiroly upon tho housewife. Therefore, 1 ho contends, the knowledge that will enable a woman to manage her homo successfully is second to nono in importance. Tho teaching of domestic science has reached a high standard in America, where in twenty-four universities the degree of 13. D. fee.Bachelor of Domestic Science—is obtainable at the end of a four years course. In many of these universities if not in all, tho range of study aecording to Mr Sfcudholnie, includes “everything pertaining to the homo, from the proper treatment or intants to tho washing of clothes, all d ; the making of blouses, from I the principles of scientific ventilation and plumbing to cookery and the cost of foods, from proper methods of house construction to the laying of a dinner table and tho care of out glass and silver. Granting that a woman s sphere is her home, the avorago American university course of domestic science seeks to fit a young woman for her honoured and responsible duties as wife and mother as completely as other courses fit male undergraduates 101 tlieir chosen lines of life-work h ]'oni every point of view bearing oil individual and national well-being no more valuable knowledge can bo imparted to women, and Mr Stndholme would have done admirable public service if be bad merely called the attention of the Senate and the Board of Governors to tile matter and urged them to consider bow they could best place such instruction within the roach of the young women of New Zealand. He lias, however, dono more than this. Before lie took any public aeion in tlio matter bo made himself acquainted witli the scope of education in Home Economics in America, and be secured from Miss Gilchrist, professor of that subject in the University of Tennessee, a definite offer to come to New Zealand in the same capacity, on certain terms. As Mr Studhoime says, in referring to tho isolated efforts to carry out instruction in domestic science in the colony, “the time seems ripe for the introduction of at least one trained expert to inspire, guide, and enlarge these efforts, and most essential of all to train a body of teachers capable of directing and continuing the work. Miss Gilchrist bears a very high reputation in tlio States, and appears to be particularly well qualified to organise the study of Home Economics in a new country. She lierself bolds tlie degree of B.D.Sc. Mr Stiulliolmc’s sympathy with tho cause lie so forcibly advocates does not stop at words; lie generously promises, if the Board of Governors accept Miss Gilchrist’s offer, to pay £2OO a year, one-third of her salary, for three years. The Board, and the Senate (to whom be wrote urging that they should include Home Economics as an optional subject in a degree course) received the suggestion sympathetically, and set up committees to give it special consideration. ‘With regard to the Senate we cannot imagine that the- will make any difficulty about granting degrees in domestic science, when veterinary science is recognised as a degree subject. The Board of. Governors may feel some hesitation in embarking on such an entrely new course, on account of the financial responsibility; but if Mr Studliolme’s contribution carries the Government subsidy of £ for £, twotliirds of tlio cost of tlie professor s salary would bo provided, and the fees should surely go a long way towards making up the balance. Ibe question requres, no doubt, careful consideration, blit the Board, we believe, will have very general support if they decide to take the step suggested.

BUTTER-MAKING IN NEW ZEA. LAND. Tlie many criticisms which have from time to time appeared regarding the butter industry of other countries in comparison with our own have generally been of such a conflicting character, while in the main favorable to that of this country, that it is interesting to have an opinion of a capable and unbiassed critic, says the Times. This we have an opportunity of supplying through the courtesy of a gentleman connected with the industry. The opinion is that of Mr J. Pederson, the Danish expert, who was some time m the service of the New Zealand Government, and who by the way was held in the highest esteem by the dairymen of the colony. Mr Pedersen left this, country to take up a creamery in the Argentine, but, disappointed with the conditions, lie left South America for the Northern continent. After seeing something of the business in Canada, he took up a position as manager of a big dairy concern at AVashington, employing about ninety-five men. From the American capital Air Pedersen writes to Ins Now Zealand friends. The letter reads: —'T sold out ray Argentine creamery to a Buenos Ayres firm. Dairying i.n the Argentine is too difficult an nntaking to make the business profitable. Some of my suppliers were living as far away as from New Plymouth to AVellmgton, so we could not take milk; it was all home separated cream. In somo cases wo only got this twice a week, and considering the temperature was often over a hundred degrees you can imagine the condition of the raw material with which I had to deal. The railroad system is not too gopd, and in many cases the farmers live long distances from the railway station, with which they are connected bv vile roads. The result was that we were lucky if we received tlio croam threo days after it was separated. Talk about dirty milking in Now Zealand. I wish I could send you a photograph of how it is done in Argentina by the natives. These crude peoplo have little or no idea of cleanliness, in fact are apparently afraid of it. Ton will gather from this that it is all nonsenso talking of the Argentine as a dairying country. I have done a considerable amount of travelling m Canada and the States, and have boon in the host dairying territories, like AAh'sconsin, Minnesota, Ontario, etc., and I have not seen anything which you liavff hot got, and just as good, in Now Zealand. The general system of dairying is not so well conducted as with you. As to the New Zealand grading system they have not anything approaching it. AUiat they have is a farce compared to that of your country. Of course good butter is made here, as well as in all parts of tho world, but the butter is very milch lacking in uniformity. The more I have seen or dairying ill other countries the more I am convinced that New Zealand has not much to learn from Ameiicans, Canadians, or Danes, . One thing it would pay to adopt in New Zealand is the combined churn and butt. After I got used to them 1 certainly liked them. They are big labor savers, and butter can be worked as well with them as on a table, while it is more easy to control the moisture with them.

For more than a week the teacher had been giving lessons on the dog, and so when the inspector came round and chose that very subject, there seemed every prospect of the class distinguishing itself. Things were progressing quite satisfactorily, and the master felt quite pleased with himself on the trouble he had taken, when, alas! a question was asked which made him tremble for the reputation of his scholars. “Why does a dog hang his tongue out of his mouth?” asked the inspector. ~ _ ~ . “Yes, my bov,” he said to a bright-looking lad who held up Ills hand with the light of genius in Ins eyes. _ ~ “Please, sir,” said the pupil, its to balance his tail! 1 ' And the teacher groaned m anguish. WHY GO HUNGRY. If your stomach is weak and you are suffering from indigestion, don t sacrifice your health and comfort. Eat all the wholesome food you want. Then take one of Dr. Sheldon’s Digestive Tabulos after each meal. They digest your food and thus nourish and build you tip, while the stomach is recovering its natural tone. For sale by A. W. J. Mann, Agent, Chemist. THE N’URSING MOTHER Who uses Dr. Sheldon’s Digestive Tabules not only keeps her own stomach perfectly regulated, but imparts the glow of health to the cheek of her babe. Dr. Sheldon’s Digestive Tabules are mild but infallible. For sale by A. W. J. Mann, Agent, Chemist,.