HOME AND COUNTRY Winter. 1937.38 NOME AND COUNTRY l’lllvllshvd qiiarlorly by Tim lerwwd \Yoinon's Institutes ol omlu-lo nml Thu Iusmulo Brunch Dvpnrliiivnl oi Agriculture Ontario Emroamb COMMITTSSZ ind, Supermmndon: \Yoinon‘u Toronto insllmus. quntns or Prolecm. Bump: Honorary President.- Her Bxcelloucy The Lady Twcodsmuir. Honorary Vichrrnidr-nl: Miss a. MrDornmnd. Toronto. Prssidtnt: rm. '1'. J. McDowell, Milverton Vicevf’n’n'denll: Mrs. E. Duliyzs. no. 3. Brighton. Mn. F. Heinoll, Dunlmon. Mrs. )5. Duke, rm Carling. Dimm- an m Ernmtiw: Mrs E. Duffy. mum-1r. Mrs l. \v. Cunningham, R.R. 2. Elam Mrs R. steeper. Mount Albert M .7 M. L. Scliniirl’. Linwood. Mrs. W. R. Tim. 3.11. l. Dayton Dirrctorr: . s. H. Monk, Lunouburg. - w. J. Reynolds, ankvillc. .Gmnei Sin-lids, ran Mrs. Harold Wilkinson. 2, shallow Luke. Mrs. A. \v. Brandon, Rh. 5, Gnu. Mrs. D. p. Gunlon. Simeon. Mrs. L. o. Crozier. Wulkcrtou. Mrs. John E. Wilcox, ivoadslee. Mrs. Gus cilllpbeli Mount Brydges. Mrs. Dan loom. New Liskeard. Mrs. A. .u. Boslei'. Scbreibor. ilrs. o. l. n. Herrlnnnn. Bit. 1, Ema. Secretarme-lmur: Mrs. W. B. Lenmerdulo. Goldwater. Correspondence should be addressed in "HOME. mid COUNTRY" The Women's Institute Brunch Parliament Buildings. Toronto This paper is distributed through the secre- Nine: of Brunch Women's Institutes to the \Vomen's Institute members. EDITORIAL COMM ENT PRIDE IN HOME GROUNDS To have open spaces about one’s home is one of the great advantages of living on a farm, in a village or small town. High rent does not have to be paid for fresh air and sunshine. Then, too, this space furnishes grounds and fertile soil to nourish beautiful shade trees, shrubs and flowers, all of which are very costly in urban centres. But a drive through rural Ontario convinces one that this opportunity to develop simple attrac- tive surroundings around the home is usually neglected. Somehow, there is not suï¬icicnt appreciation of how much an attractive home adds to one‘s satisfaction: in living. One wonders if the family living in the grim Weatherrbeaten house, open to the blast of every Wind and without the protection of a. tree or shrub, have any pride at all in their house and if it is really a home. Certainly the planting of a few trees and the transplanting of native shrubs costs practically nothing in money, but it does demand interest in the home and an urge to try to make living a little more gracious. Planning- is required to secure time to do the planting and after-care; consideration also must be given to landscaping and this takes a knowledge of the princi- ples of design. A little interest in making one‘s home attractive leads one to explore new subjects which may be of inï¬nite interest and joy always. The stimulation of interest in beautifying home surroundings is the ï¬rst important step and it is here that the women‘s institute should play a part. The standing committee on Agriculture in each branch insti- tute might very Well make “Beauti- fy'ing Home Grounds†the outstanding enterprise in their programme of work. If a local committee expects to do an effective piece of Work on such a project, it must study the situation in the communityâ€"Le, ï¬nd out: the percentage of homes already inherent- ed in doing some planting, the per- centage needing to do planting, the availability of native shrubs, the pos- (Continued on page 2, col. 4) Rural Girls Attend Short Course Schools Beautiful, sparkling winter morn- ings and disagreeable winter morn- ings alike found 1,665 Ontario rural girls sclloolwtlrd bound_ to speqlal classes in Home Econonlilcs. During the Winter months these schools were conducted in some 43 communities by the \Vomen’s Institute Brunch and Agricultural Representatives _Branch. The students had to be up bright and early to lend a hand zit home before being hurried elf by parents who willingly assumed extra responsx- bilities in order that sons and daughters might take advantage of these classes. Cautiously they motorâ€" ed over slippery roads, duuntlessly hiked three or four miles over snowy roads, or daily drove ten miles with horse and cutter to classes. And what crowded, busy, happy days they wereâ€"with so much to see, to hear and to doâ€"studying the hows and whys of daily tasks, ‘as based on sound facts and information gained from scientiï¬c research, actuâ€" ally applying new knowledge, acquir- ing new skills, making fl-iends,_work- iiig and playing together, participat- ing in discussions and literary pro- grammes and planning ways and means of continuing learning. As the courses progressed, the students appreciated more and more their need for directed guidance and training in performing t eir work in their homes and on their farms, and in their efforts for personal development. Improvised classrooms in town halls, Sunday school rooms, houses, and equipped laboratories in normal schools, became busy work rooms with girls studying new text books, learnâ€" ing techniques by actually doing, dis- coverin good practices for them- selves, learning to plan by planning, and developing ability to judge pro- ducts. evaluating success of under takings, and deciding things for them- selves. Learned by Doing An attractive personal appearance meant more than mere talk and a set of tabulated rules in a note book, when girls discussed and systematical- ly practised good grooming, improved food habits, checked posture, observed daily health habits and wore suitable and well-cared-for clothing to classes. Selection of style and material for dresses was a personal problem for each girl and urchases were made only after care ul study of individual types and requirements. Becoming, gay, colourful, smart 1938 frocks were the result of their wise planning and painstaking efl’ort. Approved Practices Adopted Good work habits Were established particularly Where accommodation af- forded an opportunity for consider able class participation. With what satisfaction tea kettles and stoves were kept bright and shining, tea \vels luundcrcd, stains removed ii'om choice linen mid everything kept clean and orderly. ‘ Rot charts illustrating effects of deï¬ciency diets showed the results of bad food hnbits. This resulted in on increased consumption of milk and vegetables, regular meals and plans for producing more vegetables and a greater variety of vegetables in the home garden in 1938. Knowledge and skill in vegetable cookery and’pl‘e- parntion of milk dishes become highly desirable and important. Clclln, safe milk become a slogan at many courses and home plisteurizing was reported by many homes. Family Meals Were Served Every opportunity was utilized for practical experience in planning, preâ€" paring and serving meals to family groups. Fortunate was ï¬le‘speclul speaker who arrived at mcul time and was invited to join the dinner or'sup- per party. It might be u .chlcken dinneriwith tomato cocktail, proâ€" perly trussed chicken roasted to a turn, cranberry sauce, carrots cooked just enough, potatoes and a delicious up 1e dessert. Not only would it be a we Lbnlanced, nutritious meul nt- ti‘activcly served but £1 happy family party with host, hostess and family members entertaining in a perfectly natural and altogether delightful and gracious manner. Even with a three mile tramp ahead on a snowy night, dishes were put away clean and shin- ing and kitchen left spick and span in every detail before the family group happily started bumewnrd. Lessons in sandwich making were followed by tea parties with mothers for special guests. Proudly and serenely daughters who knew the rules introduced their mothers, class oflicers poured tea at giain decorated table, and altogether the young host- esses entertained right royally with poise, assurance and @‘rlish dignity. Class dresses and gay peasant aprons were displayed or worn by proud owners, happy in their achievement and in the knowledge that their dresses were becoming. Students Accept Challenge At the conclusion of u three-months school, a councilman, who had watch- ed ivith interest sons and daughters from neighbouring farm homes, can- gratulated them on being better look- ing boys and girls than on opening day. No doubt he was right. For had not broadened interests, an awakened awareness of the import» ance of their jobâ€"a job requiring iii- telligcnce, training, health, directed energy and judgmentâ€"a new sense of‘security and individual responsi- bility, challenged them to be up and doing, to new goals and continued learning. Financial Statement Oct. I, l936â€"Sept. 30th, 1937 Federated Women’s Institutes An examination of the following ï¬nancial report of the Federated Wo- men's Institutes of Ontario will show that the receipts and expenditures practically balance. Receipts Balance in bank Federation fees . 34,032.00 . 3,351.29 Pins, hand books, song s eets 171.85 Adjustment of expenses to Convention . . . . 4.30 Bank interest .. 12.35 $8,071.79 Expenditures Allocation to F.W.I.C. . . . . . .$ 500.00 Allocation to A.C.W.W. . . 50.00 Grants to Conventions . . l . . 400.00 Convention Speaker’s ex- PBHSES 302.38 Board meetings .. . 838.49 Expenses Federated Repre- sentatives . 673.10 Express for r g a. 50.00 O. E. A. . . . . . . . . . . . . 22.00 The Countrywoman . 2.00 Peace literature . 5.00 Pins 68.40 Peace garden upkeep . . 24.00 Presedent’s travelling al- lowance . . . . . . . 100.00 Filing cabinet for research 43.7 Home and Country 413.6% Stationery and supplies . . .. 69.95 Secretary's honorarium and bond_.......... 287.00 Typewriter . . . . . . 33.75 Excise stamps, postage, e 47.65 Conveners’ postage 15 48 Flowers .. 16'72 Auditor, 1 1000 Exchange ..... 33340 Total expenditure . . . . . . $4 011.71 Balance in bank Oct, 1937.. 4'060 0 Certiï¬ed corre‘ct, s 1 ' 8 J. C. PRIOR, Auditor. FALL FAIR EXHIBITS CLAIM ATTENTION 0F WOMEN’S INSTITUTES The Home Department of . Fairs has always been ii Digger?" women's institute members to m or but they have not felt especially eat' cerned with its purpose up can» complisliments. Mr. J. A. Cnrr'oll- Superintendent of Fairs, Dalian."chI of Agriculture, and the provincial executive of the Agricultural s cietics of Ontario have for the [and two years encouraged the women if: terested in Full Fairs to uttonrl ti“; annual convention of the Agricultural Societies. This February, many w men interested in both Fall Full-s Moll Women's Institutes attended on; can vention. ' Under the chuirmanshi of Ethcl_ Brant Monturc, l-Iagersi‘illls' Ontario, discussions of how {a jE' crease the value of the homemakili‘v exhibits at the fairs were carried "E with the result of outlining tho at: Jectivcs of the exhibits, and m kin 11 suggested list of desirable Clauseg available to Fair Boards. The inn that a Women's Institute exhibit should take at the fair was clariï¬ed. _Elsewhere in this issue on lirtlcle written by Miss Esther Slider of the Women's Institute Branch. dis: cusses the advisability of t we. men's Institutes being responsibll; [or an educiitional exhibit showing [heir accomplishments rather than 5 Ditto]- loneous exhibit of articles gatherml at random from institute members. After referring to the eductllmnal programme of the Women’s lnsllluie Branch and its co-operation with InL‘CIl and district institutes, Miss Bcs . Dermand, Superintendent of ‘.\'oâ€" men’s Institute Branch, said: “We have many types of prmpcis and, i_f they are recognized b) the fall fairs, I think better premium Ildl’S Will result and ultimately a limgey standard of exhibits will be an llllE‘d because behind these projects more has been purposeful activity, octm‘lty which has been both educational .md inspirational. For instance. a Ill llict whlch has completed a rojell an now u lot quilts and quiltin should more about the business of mï¬â€˜dng quilts and what is a good pallern, than a district which hasn’t .Il-ne through the experience of 5tlll .lllg quilts. "There can be a very nice lilll ~up between the educational mgr-amine in home economics directed, by the Wo- men’s Institute Brunch and the lllral fair units. To make this povlhle. we, at the Department, will be plv. ed to adVise you as to the kind of llu» gramme beinlgi carried on in yoUl dis~ trlct. One omo Economics Gulch may work in as many as Clll'B: or four counties. The coach know. the programme in each of her counties and Will be a good adviser. Cd in touch with her. We are very much interested in fairs because we know that they are helping to set mud standards and stimulating interest in better homemnking. (Jo-operation be- tween our roups should mean a grind deal for t e improvement of rulal lvmgâ€. (Continued from page 2, col. 1) Sibility Of obtaining desirable sIock from nurseries on a club basis, the POSSibility of establishing a root ex- cl“?ng in the community, the pos- .S‘blllty of calling a community meet "‘5 0f both men and women to dls- cuss common problems concerning the “lanaiâ€, and the desirability of land- ?cml’in the grounds of a local bulld- mg 5110 as a church, hall or school- house. If the committee feels the Community is ready to move forward on the beautifying of home grounds, *1 dlemstration lecture on land- scal’m the grounds of the modest home s said be given to the interested persons. _ The important thing to remernber Is that the beautifying of 119‘â€? Pounds should be one of the ï¬lms of women’s institutes.