The Nonpartisan Leader Newspaper, February 9, 1920, Page 10

TWO PAGES FOR THE FARM WOMAN THIS WEEK - cial life whatever. What Farm Women Want What: Do Readers of This Page Think of These Suggestlons" : OME time ago the United States de- partment of agriculture sent out a circular letter to a list of farm women in all parts of the United States, ask- ing the question, “What can be done to make the life of the farm house- wife better ?” ceived. Following are excerpts from some of the replies from League states which show the gen- eral drift of sentiment: Wisconsin—“If automobiles could be scll on as small a margin of profit as buggies and farm ma- chinery a great many more farmers would buy them. In this way they would be able to go to town oftener to lectures and entertainments.” Kansas—“Have water in the house, pumped either by windmill or gasoline engine, modern light- ing plants, improved washing meschines, gasoline . irons, incubators. ' We have an active social life, including ladies’ societies, ‘children’s clubs, cornet band, orchestra and other organizations.” Idaho—*“When all that can be done at the farm is accomplished the building of country churches would make the farm more acceptable to the wom- an for residence.” Wisconsin—“Farm women need organization. In the rural districts we need farm women’s clubs and to be represented at county and state conventions and the states at a great farm woman’s congress.” Towa—“If your department could find out where we could get competent help and establish a bureau of information so that farm women could be put in touch with the people who want such work a long-felt want would be filled.” Minnesota—*“The co-operative creamery should be more general. In connection with the cream- eries it ought to be poss1b]e to operate co- operatlve laundries and bakeries.” Kansas—“There is an ice club in this county, whereby the farmers living 10 to 15 miles from the ice plant can have ice at a small outlay of time and mo=ey. Ten farmers form a club and take turns in going after ice once or twice a week, buy- ing it at “wholesale.” Washinzton—“If Uncle Sam has money to im- prove the public highways let a portion cf it be put into some of the L:ackwoods roads or the mountain roads to make them- passable.” ‘ Minnesota—“A great stride could be taken in relieving the monotony of farm life by a law whereby a majority of any township could levy a tax to build municipal telephones to every home in the township.” Jowa—“Have the govern- ment own the telephone and telegraph lines of the country, railroads and coal mines.” Nebraska —“I hardly see how you can help the women of the sandhills unless by bring- ing us nearer the railroad and giving us better mail service.” North Dakota—*“A laundry in each township, so that wash- ings could be brought there and laundered for reasonable prices would be a great blessing.” BETTER SCHOOL SYSTEM NEEDED Texas—“Two-thirds of the farm girls are denied an ed- ucation by being kept in the fields or at routine housework until all their hopes and ambi- tions are crushed and blighted.” South Dakota—*“One evil for which a remedy should be sup- plied is the demand made upon the farmer’s wife by the tran- sient. Many a farmer’s wife is forced to be a country hotel- keeper without pay.” Montana—“We have no so- e More than 2,000 replies were re-. We need churches that we may have spiritual food, at least occasionally.” Colorado—“We want suggestions of high-grade amusements for leisure hours by means of mod- erate-priced talking machines or picture shows.” Oklahoria—“The social side of farm lfe will have tc be loosened up a few notches, for :zity girls wnink the country is too slow.” What do readers of the woman’s page think about these answers? gestions to offer? Wouldn't this make a good sub- ject for discussion by local clubs of League women ? | FARMERS’ GIRLS . ° I Up in the early morning, just at the peep of day, Straining the milk-in the dairy, turning the cows away, : Sweeping the floors in the kitchen, makmg the beds upstairs, Washing the breakfast dishes dusting the parlor chairs, Brushing the crumbs from the pantry, hunting for egzs .in the barn, Roasting the meat for dinne: spinning the stock- ing yarn, Spreading the snow-white linen down on the bush- es below, Ransacking every meadow whcre the strawberries grow, Starching their “fivm s” for Sunday, churning the gn-den cream, Rinsing the pails and strainer. down in-the runmng stream, Feeding the geese- and' chickens, making puddings and pies, Jogging the little one’s cradle, driving away the flies, Grace in every motion, music in every tone, Beauty of form and featuxe thousands might cover— s to own, Cheeks that rival the roses, teeth the whiteness of pearls, One of these country maids is worth a score ‘of your city girls. MRS. C. P. KRAFT. Mrs. Kraft comes frem a strong League family of Ryder, N. D. Her husband, father and four brothers are all Leazuers—THE EDITOR. |. ' A FAMILY OF PLUCKY HOMESTEADERS | w2 , T £y PAGETEN = : e e e e e i e b A A Have they any further sug- This family, consisting of Mrs. Margaret Over- jorde and her sons, Leonard, aged 12, and George Theodore, aged 6, are homesteading in Rainbow valley, Williams county, N. D. Their “Leagie goat” keeps them from getting lonely. The League goat, as Billican, cartoonist of the North Dakota Leader, draws it, is shown also. Billican ealls it “the goat that can’t be got.” For Community. Laundries Colorado Woman Has Good Suggestions— . : Other Letters EAR Editor and Readers: . I have just finished reading the woman’s page and say—I'm interested. I vote for the woman'’s page for the discussion of politics, schools; social centers and such. I'm tired of this apple-pie busi- ness, for when we get hungry I don’t wait to read recipes in some paper to know what to do or how to do it. I just get busy frying eggs and potatoes or anything else I have, for I have four hungry boys to fill three times a day. What I need is a way to express the thoughts that have accumulated in my cranium for the past 20 years. < We have outgrown the old method of home work ' and should have community-owned and managed laundries, bakeries and a host of other things so ~we could have time to read and think and learn to express our thoughts. The war has made me want to talk or write, especially on politics. I certainly agree with Miss Allen—no militarism for my boys if- I have a voice in affairs. I have never lived in “a state where women were allowed to vote until this year and I am certain'y in‘erested enough to vote even if I. have to ki e g nurse for the baby while I am gone to the pc z. And I intend to vote the Nonpartisan ticket strzi ‘ht. I have been read- ¢ ing of the doings in North Dakota and I am for the party that gets results. . "Two Buttes, Col. MAY SCHMEITZER. SOME HOUSEHOLD HELPS Editor Nonpartisan Leader: I am interested in the woman’s page. - I would like to see more tak- ing advantage of it and giving suggestions that may help another reader. Cleaning chimneys is a job men don’t enjoy and neither do the women. A good plan is to save all bits of zinec in a box and throw two or three pieces on the fire when you believe your stoveplpes need a cleaning. Since colds are so prevalent these days T'll give the mothers 2 snnple homemade cough remedy Steep two ounces of flaxseed in one quart of wazer until thin, stram through thin cheesecloth, add one-half wineglass of pure honey and juice of two lemons. Heat over fire until honey is well dissolved, cool and it is ready to use. This can be safe- ly given to tiny children, doses according to .age. One tea- spoon every two hours for a two-year-old is not too much. It is very soothingsand healing. Heat camphorated oil and apply over chest, throat and shoulders. This usually breaks up a cold quickly. If constipat- ed do not hesitate to give a good dose of castor oil, as it is very important. Also soak feet in hot water with strong mus- tard added, one tablespoon to a gallon If tired and weak stay in bed. : Now, farm wcomen, do not forget to read the Leaders and do your share for: .democracy “Vote right.” - MRS. L. A, A. Badger, Minn. AGAINST MILITARISM Editor Nonpartisan Leader: Hurrah for Miss Allen—would to heaven there were more like her. I am the mother of three fine specimens of American ‘boyhood, besides a daughter, and. should this bill (compul- sory military training) pass I will surely migrate to some corner®of the globe where the curse of militarism shall not: fall on me or mine. .~ MRS. FLOYD B. CEIS Mae, Wash. .