This book is included in the Self Reliance Shelter section.
INTRODUCTORY
This paper was written for and read before the first International Congress of Farm Women held at Colorado Springs, October 17th to 21st, 1911. A few changes have been made in the manuscript and some illustrations added.
The name indicates that it is written for the progressive farmers of some means since all labor saving devices cost
more or less money. The farm home which finds it difficult to keep flour in the barrel, naturally will not be interested in
$125.00 water systems except as an ideal they may attain to some day, and ideals are always helpful. To find ways and
means of helping this class of farm home has our deepest interest, but is entirely another story. The wise woman in any
condition can, by using her wits and the means at her command, do much toward making her work simpler and save
steps in the performance of it.
The purpose in writing this paper has been two-fold: To stimulate thought on the part of the home-workers the women;
and to induce a spirit of interested co-operation on the part of home providers the men. An intelligent, active interest in the subject with some good head work thrown in is the best asset any woman can have in her work. Coupled with the wife's determination must be the husband's willing help; for, since the home is shared by both and made for both, no woman can make much advance if she has to "go it alone." So, in spite of the fact that "comparisons are odious," they have been frequently drawn between man's and woman's work on the farm with their respective facilities for work. This has been done not at all to make it appear that men are all at fault and women down-trodden; but to make them both feel that absolute co-operation is necessary in order to realize the possibilities of the joyous freedom of farm life. This condition must hold in all home life as well.
Many of the illustrations used have been furnished by the firms handling the appliances spoken of. It is not intended to advertise any firm or factory in these pages. There are many places where such goods may be obtained, and interested readers are advised to get all possible information before making any purchases. However, it must be stated that any firm herein spoken of is known to be reliable. The desire has been to give a little practical help, rather than theoretical information so prices and definite information has been given wherever possible. Further, it has been the desire to quote local firms handling goods spoken of wherever possible. We believe in keeping our money at home and patronizing those firms which are progressive enough to handle the newest and best the market affords. Still when the local firms do -not handle the goods, the address of Eastern firms is given.
The position that is maintained throughout these pages is stated in brief in the words of a great man, and I trust he will not object to having them introduce this little paper:
"Above all, the condition of farm life must be shaped with a view to the welfare of the farmer's wife, and the farm
laborer's wife quite as much as the welfare of the farm laborer. To have the woman a mere drudge is at least quite as bad as to have the man a mere drudge. It is every whit as important to introduce new machinery to economize her labor within the house, as to introduce machinery to increase the
effectiveness of his labor outside of the house." Theodore Roosevelt.
SYNOPSIS
I. Introduction. II. Desirability of Farm Life. 1. Greatest possible moral, and physical strength. 2. Freedom and independence. III. Disadvantages of Farm Life. 1. Isolation. a. Lack of music, lectures, theatres, art galleries. b. Lack of social intercourse. 2. Too much work. a. Lack of training for individual to become master of work. b. Lack of appreciation of natural advantages. IV. Woman vs. Man on the Farm. 1. Interdependence of each. a. "Back to Farm'' useless without women. b. Co-operation necessary Home shared by both; must be built for both. 2. Work necessary for each. a. The greatest blessing instead of curse. b. Must be trained to be master; to see all advantages. 3. Man's Work on the Farm. a. Overworked at certain seasons, only. b. Can more easily procure. hired help. c. Has nights for rest and recuperation. d. Has Sundays and holidays free except for small chores. e. Commands purse strings. f. Has aid of more labor saving devices. 4. Woman's Work on Farm. a. Woman's work the most glorious profession on earth. b. No more intense but covers longer hours. c. Few periods of unbroken rest. d. Has few real holidays in entire life. e. Difficulty in procuring hired help. f. Adds the strain of Motherhood. g. Too conservative. h. Lack of funds, hence lack of labor-saving devices. V. The Day of Labor Saving Devices. 1. Man will have them if farm must be mortgaged, a. As bread winner feels justified. 2. Woman must wait for hers till fortune is made. a. Not because man is heartless or stingy; feels he must 'make financial headway first. 3. Money not aim of existence. a. Cheerful, happy home is worth more than money. b. Closer co-operation necessary. c. Make headway more slowly and enjoy every day. d. Vacuum cleaners cheaper than funeral bills. e. Interest paid in dollars and cents vs. interest paid in joy and rested companionship which or both? VI. Possible Farm and Home Labor Saving Devices. 1. Farm. a. Labor saving device defined. b. Machines for every conceivable farm process. c. Increasing and improving in efficiency. d. Expense for buying and maintaining is great. e. List given by leading implement dealer. f. Through lack of care must be replaced every 5-10 years. j 2. Home. a. Most home labor saving devices should be considered necessities and included in house construction. b. Fewer in number. c. Less efficient in general. d. Much less expensive. e. When bought, supposed to last life time. VII. A Model Farm Home. 1. Possible if man is interested and financially able. 2. Possible to rival all city conveniences of gas, electricity, heating, laundering, etc. 3. A model home in Utah described. a. Cost not prohibitive and comfort more than commensurate. VIII. Comparative Cost of Farm and Home Machinery 1. Farm No. 1 50-acre hay and grain. a. Money in farm machinery $1,148.00. 2. Farm Home No. 1. a. Money in home labor saving devices $63.00. 3. Farm No. 2 1800-acre hay and grain, a. Money invested, $4,085.00 4. Farm home No. 2. a. Money invested, $107.00. 5. Farm machinery replaced every ten years; home machinery lasts a life time. IX. Detail List of Home Labor Saving Devices. 1. Good head best labor saving device any woman can have. a. Coupled with keen interest will surmount every difficulty. 2. Each article. a. Necessity and advantages. b. Cost. c. Where procured. X. Extravagance Not Necessary. 1. Is not recommended. 2. Women earn and should spend certain proportion of yearly income. a. Plan well. b. Use and comfort more desirable than looks or - "show." XI. Each Woman Should Plan Her Own Home. 1. Begin as girl to plan ideal home, a. Change as ideals grow. b. Change as circumstances indicate. c. Plan for efficiency first. d. Use and beauty combined. XII. Co-operative Ownership 1. For home machines as well as farm machines. a. Vacuum cleaner; b. Home laundry. c. Brick oven. XIII. The Smoot Bill. 1. Desirability and feasibility. a. Why not means for experimenting on improvement of human race as well as chickens and hogs? b. Why not improve home conditions as well as more perfect and sanitary barns. 2. A possible perfected dishwasher.
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