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PROVINCE OF BRITISH COLUMBIA

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

(WOMEN'S INSTITUTES)

BULLETIN No. 43

Women's Institute Work
in British Columbia

BY

The Advisory Board of Women's Institutes.

THE GOVERNMENT OF
THE PROVINCE OP BRITISH COLUMBIA

PRINTED BY
AUTHORITY OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY.

VICTORIA, B.C.:

Printed by William H. Cullen, Printer to the King's Most Excellent Majesty.
1912.

PROVINCE OF BRITISH COLUMBIA

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

(WOMEN'S INSTITUTES)

BULLETIN No. 43

Women's Institute Work
in British Columbia

BY

The Advisory Board of Women's Institutes.

THE PROVINCE OF BRITISH COLUMBIA

PRINTED BY
AUTHORITY OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY.

VICTORIA, B.C.:

Printed by William H. Cullen, Printer to the King's Most Excellent Majesty.
1912.

Department of Agriculture,

Victoria, B. C., 22nd March, 1912.

Hon. Price Ellison,

Minister of Agriculture.
Sir:—

I have the honour to transmit herewith Bulletin No. 43, entitled
"Women's Institute Work in British Columbia," compiled by the
Advisory Board of Women's Institutes, and dealing with the growth
and expansion of this important organization since its inception.

I have the honour to be,

Sir,
Your obedient servant,

WM. E. SCOTT,
Deputy Minister of Agriculture
and Superintendent of Institutes.

FOREWORD.

In this, its first publication, the members of the Advisory Board wish to
^express their appreciation of the confidence reposed in them by the ex-
officio members, the Hon. Minister of Agriculture and the Superintendent
of Institutes. To both of these gentlemen the Women's Institutes of the
Province owe a heavy debt: to Mr. Scott for his prompt and kindly attention
to their needs, for his constant interest in their work and for his placing
before the Minister, the Department need for the advice of women in its
relation with women's organization and work: to the Minister for his cor-
dial recognition of this broad-minded attitude and not only for his many
expressions of sympathy in Women's Institute' work but for his active co-
operation in all movements for the betterment of home and country.

"If you would have a happy family 14fe remember two things: In mat-
ters of principle stand like a rock; in matters of taste swim with the
^current."

MEMBERS OF THE ADVISORY BOARD.

The Hon. the Minister of Agriculture, Victoria.

Wm. E. Scott, Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Victoria.

Mrs. W. V. Daviee, Chilliwack. Chairman.

Mrs. R. L. Lipsett, Summerland.

Mrs. J. P. Kilby, Nelson.

Mrs. A. T. Watt, William Head, Secretary.

"It is not quite so easy to try to do good as those may imagine who-'
never try."

INTRODUCTION.

W. E. Scott, Superintendent of Institutes.

It affords me great pleasure to have this opportunity of making a few
introductory remarks on the occasion of the issue of the first bulletin com-
piled by the Advisory Board of Women's Institutes.

ORGANIZING OP WOMEN'S INSTITUTES.

About three years ago, the idea of establishing Women's Institutes in
this Province, along similar lines to those adopted in Ontario, was first
mooted. Miss Laura Rose of the O. A. C., Guelph, who has done good work
along these lines in Ontario, was approached by the Department of Agri-
culture with a view of getting her to make a tour of this Province in order
to inaugurate the movement.

I am glad of this opportunity, as your Superintendent, of expressing to
JMiss Rose my appreciation of the services which she rendered to the Depart-
ment in this connection. On my taking office, I found that several Insti-
tutes, as a result of Miss Rose's visit, had been formed, but inasmuch as
there was no Act dealing with Women's Institutes, they had no legal status.
Accordingly they were included in the Agricultural Associations Act, 1911,
which, ipso facto, legalized all those which were in operation prior to the
formation of the Act. All such other Institutes as have been formed since
have been incorporated in accordance with the Act.

GROWTH OF INSTITUTES.

There has been a steady growth during the past two years and there are
at the present time 24 Institutes, with a membership of approximately 800.

APPOINTMENT OF ADVISORY BOARD.

The Advisory Board, consisting of four ladies, one from Vancouver
Island, one from Lower Mainland, one from the Okanagan and Boundary,
and one from East and West Kootenay, was formed a year ago, in order to
act in an advisory capacity to the Department in the conduct of Women's
Institute work. The value of this Board, and the justification for its
formation, has been abundantly proved during the past year.

By its means, Institutes have been kept in touch with each other, and
much valuable information and advice has been disseminated by the Board.
Recommendations from the Board have always .received the most careful
consideration of the Department, and wtien ever possible, have been
acted upon.

CO-OPERATION.

The primary object of Women's Institutes is co-operation, and only by
the united efforts of all can the best results and the highest good be
obtained. As I have had the opportunity of touching on this subject in this
"bulletin, it is unnecessary for me to say more in these introductory remarks.

SECRETARIES.

The success of an Institute depends to a large extent on the Secretary.
Select for this important post a good live member with business instincts, — •
one who has the interests of the Institute at heart, — then your Institute
will prosper.

8
.,,, MEETINGS.

Arrange a yearly programme* of meetings, and have them printed and"
supplied to all members. Infuse life and' interest into your meetings.
Secure a good speaker for supplementary meetings from neighbouring
Institutes, with whom you can reciprocate. Bring in the social element.
Encourage the young people to attend. The Department will endeavour to

supply good competent lecturers and demonstrators for the regular spring,

• i . ,

and fall meetings, on topics as desired.

i , COLOURS.

By the approval of practically all the Institutes, the colours Green, Gold
and White have been selected as the official colours for this Province, and
steps are being taken towards securing a badge for all Institute members
in the shape of a pin, bearing these colours.

In, .concluding these introductory remarks, I would like to assure the
Women's Institutes of the Province that they will always receive from me,
as their Superintendent, hearty support and sympathy, and at the same time
to express the hope that by the co-operation of the Department and the
Institutes, the' highest ideals may be achieved. Great things have often
small beginnings, and just as a snowball started rolling on a hill-top in-
creases in size and gathers momentum in its descent, and finally gathers
all before it, so may the Women's Institutes progress and prosper, and
become a powerful factor for good in our Province towards the betterment
of conditions prevailing in home life in our rural communities, by incul-
cating the highest ideals of home life, by teaching morality, sanitation,
cleanliness, sobriety, and honesty of purpose, by bringing up our children
in the .way in which they should walk, by fostering patriotism and love of
country, so that the women of our fair Province may prove a power in the
up-building of the great Dominion of Canada as a country populated by a
God-fearing, industrious and sober people.

Remember the excellent motto which the Women's Institutes have
adopted, "For Home and Country."

THE WOMEN'S INSTITUTES OF BRITISH
COLUMBIA.

MOTTO.

"For Home and Country."

COLORS.
Green and White and Gold.

BADGE.

Oval-shaped pin. Centre, initials in gold, B.C. W.I. Border in

green and white enamel with motto in gold,

"For Home and Country."

The colors are typical of British Columbia and symbolic of the work of
Women's Institutes.

This is the ever-green Province. At all seasons there is life and growth
in forest and plain. The great Douglas fir now piercing the mountain mists,
now standing the sentinel of the valley, is verdant through summer suns
and winter snows.

From every part, rise on the horizon, the snow-capped mountains,
beautiful, pure, inspiring, their white crowns, the eternal glory of this
farthest West.

In rock and river bed lie hidden the nuggets of precious gold where those
who seek may find the reward of their undaunted faith and courage.

So too in our work. It must be like the fir living and growing through-
out the year, ever fragrant, ever green.

It must be pure and inspiring as the eternal snows.

It must be animated by the faith and courage of those who mine for
earth's riches, alike to reveal and to safeguard the treasures of home, the
golden heart of the nation.

FUNCTIONS OF THE ADVISORY BOARD.

The Advisory Board was appointed by the Hon. the Minister of Agri-
culture to advise and confer with the Department on matters relating to
Women's Institutes and to women in agricultural pursuits and to do such
special work as the Deputy Minister may direct.

It has no authority over Institutes. It aims to be of use to them only
so far as the Institutes wish. Each Institute knows what help it requires
and some may not need any. But if there are not any such, they will
perhaps be willing to let the Board pass on their ideas and papers to newer
and less fortunate Institutes, of whose needs the Board has knowledge.

The members of the Board are from different localities, not with the idea
of representing these localities but for the sake of convenience. The
wishes, needs, and views, of the Institutes of each district may be more
fully and more quickly ascertained by personal visits from the nearest
member. The most remote Institute will have the same chance as the
closest in of personal contact with the central worker.

It is hoped that by means of the work of the Board matters of common
interest may be taken up and that a current of inspiration and encourage-
ment will pass from one Institute to the other, that the adjacent and the
far-off Institutes will fee] more and more sympathy in each other's work
and in the aims of our great sisterhood.

"Others shall take patience, courage, to their heart and hand from thy
hand, and thy heart, and thy brave cheer." - — E..B. Browning.

10

MEETING OF ADVISORY BOARD, AUGUST,
VICTORIA, B. C.

ADDRESS BY THE HON. THE MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE.

The Minister in a few words welcomed the members of the Board. He-
said that it had been his aim ever since taking office to help in bettering
the conditions of women in the country. Whenever any way in which this
could be done had been laid before him, he had been glad to help, so far as
in his official capacity, he was permitted to act. He believed that the
Women's Institute movement had a great future and that the Advisory
Board would play a great part in its development. He thought that the
greatest benefit would result from plain practical talks to housekeepers and
urged that simplicity should be the keynote in the work of Institutes, simple
lectures that could be readily understood by all, plain demonstrations in
practical work which could be easily carried out by those receiving the in-
structions, simple hand-books that would appeal to all. He pointed out
how necessary it was for members to consider well every move made and
every resolution passed, bearing in mind not only whether the motion was
practicable, as well as needed, but also its official significance, that is
whether it was in accord with the policy of the Government. Often reso-
lutions were passed by bodies which were on the face of them impossible
resolutions. All questions of policy and expenditure had to be carefully
weighed by the Minister. Mr. Ellison then gave an interesting outline
of what it was possible for such a Board to do and promised that wherever
it was possible its recommendations would be carried out. He would like
to see the Board brought into touch with Women's Institutes and colleges
in this line of work in other countries and other Provinces of Canada. He
concluded with an earnest reminder as to careful considerations of all reso-
lutions and of simplicity in all business of the Board in order that the
greatest good might result to the Institutes and to the country at large.

"The foundations of national glory are set in the homes of the people.
They will only remain unchanged while the family life of our race and
nation is strong, simple and pure." — King George V.

RECOMMENDATIONS.

A number of resolutions were passed at the first meeting of the Advisory
Beard, some of which, with the approval of the Department have been
brought into effect. A brief account of these follows:

The recommendation of Miss Livingstone as the lecturer for the fall of
1911 was made and approved. ' Her course was planned to include several
features of interest, namely, a full two days' course at each Institute, in-
cluding lectures on such branches of cookery as the Institutes might wish,
practical demonstrations on the same, informal talks with illustration on
the latest proved labor-saving devices, and kitchen utensils. It was asked
that a special feature be made of the answering of questions and that a
farm dinner menu competition with prizes from Institutes be arranged for
euch places as desired it.

Miss Livingstone, who is a graduate of the Boston School of Domestic
Science and of the New York School of Cookery, undertook the work as
planned and made a most successful tour of the Province. Expressions of "
satisfaction have been received from many of the Institutes and in several n

11

cases efforts are being made by the Institutes to have Miss Livingstone re-
turn and give extended courses in cookery, the expenses being met by the
members.

In order that the Board might be equipped to give such information as
might be required, the Department was asked to provide some books of
reference and some magazines on household economy. The request was
acceded to and there is now on hand the fine library of Home Economics-
published by the American School of Home Economics, consisting of twelve
volumes, covering almost every field of home-making activity. Some
magazines have also been secured and have, by means of clippings and
articles, been distributed to Institutes as described later.

A work of importance has been the preparation of lists of books,
magazines, and pamphlets which would be suitable for purchase by Insti-
tutes. This involved considerable time and care in selection. The thanks
of the Board in tills connection are due to Miss Annie Laird, Head of the
University of Toronto School of Household Economics, to Miss Watson,
Head of the Domestic Science courses of Macdonald Institute, and to Mr.
Putman, Superintendent of Institutes, Ontario.

The need of literature is felt by every Institute and a general demard
was reported by members of the Board for well-selected lists of books and
pamphlets. The difficulty had been to know what to get, where to get it,
and how much it would cost. To obviate this difficulty, it was recom-
mended to have prices attached to the book lists and to make it possible to
purchase any book desired through the Department. These lists have been
prepared and sent in to the Department where they will shortly be printed
and sent out. Some of the Institutes wish to start reference libraries,
some to maintain circulating libraries and some wish to have the lists so
that members may buy these books for themselves. In any case these lists-
will make the way easy.

A further recommendation was made along these lines when the Board
asked the Department to suggest to the Provincial Librarian to include in
the travelling libraries sent out on request to country districts, books relat-
ing to home-making, etc., so that these collections might be of the greatest
possible benefit to women in the country. Mr. Scholefield met the request
in the friendliest possible spirit, expressed his sympathy with the movement
and at once set about the inclusion of books of this nature in the Rural
Libraries. Several Institutes are now making requests for these collections
and it is fair to assume that with this added sphere of their usefulness these
libraries sent out from the Provincial Library will be the means of dis-
seminating good literature widely throughout country homes and that
corresponding good will ensue.

The part the Institutes and the Board might play in the development or
the country was made the subject of discussion and the Board was of opin-
ion that great attention should be paid to the needs of women newcomers
in the country parts. The Institutes, it was felt should make it part of
their work to welcome new settlers, to urge them to attend Institute meet-
ings, and to help them work out the problems of home-making in a new
and strange neighborhood. Many of the Institutes make this a special
feature and thus play a kindly and useful part in the development of the
Province. But to still further emphasize this, the Board recommended
that the Institutes should be reminded of this neighborly duty. In order

12

that the Board should do its duty in this regard, also, it was recommended
that the members be given opportunity to become qualified "to act as a
bureau of information to newcomers or residents on matters relating to
agriculture for women in B. C.; that the Board recommend to the Depart-
ment the publication of a pamphlet on opportunities for women in the
country districts; and that the Department be asked to compile statistical
information as to occupations and means of livelihood for women in
the country."

Following another resolution, the Board was asked by the Superintend-
ent of Institutes to go into the matter of the choice of a motto, pin or badge,
and colors for the B. C. Institutes. The suggestion was made by the Board
that there might be a common motto and pin of same design and shape for
all Canadian Institutes with distinctive colors and initials for the Provinces,
[t was pointed out that Ontario had already an excellent motto and artistic
pin and that the other Provinces might well adopt the same. Many of the
Institutes in B. C. already use this motto. The Secretary of the Board
was then instructed to ascertain if the idea of the motto and pin of Ontario
Deihg chosen tor all Canada would meet with favor from 'the other Prov-
inces and at the same time find out what colors had been chosen by other
Provinces so that there might not be duplication. The replies received con-
tained approval of the idea but stated that the matter of colors, pin and
motto had not yet been taken up but would now be considered, so that we
in B. C. are in the van and to us belongs the honor of this patriotic sug-
gestion of a badge and motto for all the Provinces of the Dominion.

The matter of lecturers for the spring meetings of the Institute was
taken up by the Board at the request of the Department. It was thought
that sewing demonstrations might be given with advantage but it was later
recommended that lectures on gardening, poultry and other agricultural
pursuits for women F.S commercial occupations be given by experts in these
branches.

As there is at present no official organ of the Women's Institutes in
B. C., it was recommended that as a means of disseminating information
about Institute work and thus awakening widespread interest, that the
Department be asked to have certain newspapers throughout B. C. sup-
plied from time to time with items and articles relating to this work.

It was pointed out by the Superintendent of Institutes to the Board that
there was a general desire on the part of tire Institutes for literature in
bulletin form. The Honourable the Minister of Agriculture also spoke of
the need for simple hand-books on Institute work. The Board recommend-
e.d the publication of a quarterly which should be kept up to date in Insti-
tute matters. It was thought that, for the first year, however, one or two
bulletins would be sufficient. Instructions were then given by the Depart-
ment to the Board to compile and prepare such a bulletin. The work was
undertaken and is now complete. As soon as possible it will be printed and
sent to the members of all Institutes.

Several matters of general interest to the Institutes: have been brought
to the attention of the Board. One is the use of Institute funds. The Sec-
retary of the Board has been engaged in finding out through the different
members of the Board, the views of different Institute officers all over the
v .Province in this regard and also the views- -/of different members of the
Board and these are now tabulated and put in the bulletin as suggestions.

13

While the disposal of Institute funds is entirely a matter for each Institute
to decide, a statement of some sort seemed needed, in view of the constant
inquiries from Institutes as to best use of funds. The newer Institutes are
especially anxious for help in this as in other directions.

!

Another matter is the part Institues should play in Fall Fairs. The re-
quest from Kaslo Institute for aid in their Fair was recommended by the
Board because of exceptional circumstances (the local Association having
abandoned the idea after advertising the Fair and the Women's Institute
having taken it up in a plucky and public-spirited way). But as the De~
partment did not wish this to be taken as a precedent, and the Board con-
curred in the reasons given, it was recommended that the Department be
asked to fully explain to the Institutes its policy in this matter; the opinion
of the Board was that Institutes could best help in Fair work by sending
exhibits, taking charge of Women's Work Departments, or otherwise co-
operating with the local association. But a recommendation was further
made that in the case of a remote Institute wishing to send an Institute
exhibit to the nearest Fair and making application for aid in transportation
expenses, that the Department would favourably consider such a request.

The Board has made use of the Home Economics magazines supplied by
making extensive clippings and sending a careful selection to all Institutes.
These included articles, poems, editorials, quotations, recipes, and house-
hold miscellany. As the Institutes had had during the year lectures on
diet, hygiene, nursing, cooking and labor-saving devices, it was thought
that further ideas on these subjects would be timely and serve as reminders
of what had recently been brought to their attention. The articles were
such as could be read aloud at Institutes where there was a scarcity of
material, or would be suggestive of programmes or could be given to mem-
bers desiring help in these directions.

Following the expressed wish of the Minister, the Board has got into
touch with the Institutes of other Provinces, with various schools of Home
Science in Canada and the States and secured much valued help especially
from their publications.

The Board hopes to be of further assistance to the Institutes in two
especial ways in the near future, if permitted.

The first is to be the medium of exchange for papers, ideas, etc., from
one Institute to another. It is hoped to continue the sending out of magaz-
ine articles and clippings, the next series relating especially to the Spring
lectures. The second way is one which the Chairman of the Board feels to
be the most important of all, that of planning with assistance of Institute
officers, regular courses of study for such Institutes as desire it. She thinks
that much more can be accomplished by regular systematic work on one
group of subjects at a time than by any irregular attempts and that the
whole matter of instructions to Institutes, lectures, bulletins, literature,
etc., should be carefully planned and executed. Otherwise there is over-
lapping, waste of funds and energy and most precious of all, time, which
the busy housewife can ill afford. With this object in view, Mrs. Davies
has been securing information from various places as to courses of study,
so that if the Department authorize this work it can be proceeded with
this year.

14

The Board is now engaged under the direction of the Department in a
report upon the Rules and Regulations of Women's Institutes. Advice has
been sought from officers as to needed changes, additions and omissions
and a report will be soon presented for the consideration ol the Superin-
tendent. A lecturer for the Spring meetings on out-door pursuits for
women in the country has been recommended who can speak on the com-
mercial aspects of these occupations. A programme for her visits is being
arranged at each W. I. in connection with the lectures and that a prize
may be given by the Department for certain classes. The matter of the
motto, colors and design for badge has been dealt with and a sample pia
is now being made for the consideration of the Superintendent.

As some indication of how the usefulness of the Board has been already
proved, it may be mentioned that already over 500 letters have passed
through the Secretary's hands in the few months the Board has been in
€xistence.

The Board hopes that the Institutes will remember that our work is new
to us; and not be too critical of us at present. We have had to feel. our way
and adjust ourselves to ourselves, to the Department, and to the Institutes.
Any new movement requires time to find itself, to get ballasted, and we
are making haste slowly. We hope that the Institutes will not regard our
shortcomings but will, with us, look steadfastly forward to our ulti-
mate goal:

The Women's Institute of British Columbia, the best in Canada!

"The assimilation of the large numbers who are coming to us from many
lands each year, and the making of them citizens, who will maintain the
high ideals which have characterized the Canadians in the past, is a re-
sponsibility which the loyal subject will be glad to accept. The Institute
must, if it lives up to its opportunities, play a large part in this." — Geo. B.
Putnam, Superintendent of Institutes, Ontario.

15

HELPFUL THOUGHTS FROM OUR MEMBERS.

TECHNICAL, CLASSES.

The aim of the Women's Institutes in the larger towns should be to es-
tablish technical classes for girls and young married women. Then the
women living in the adjoining districts could come to town at intervals and
receive the benefit of such instruction." — Dr. A. V. Jones, Nelson W. I.

OPENING ADDRESS, KASLO W. I. FAIR.

"I always think that these exhibitions have in themselves a great influ-
ence; they teach us many things; open people's eyes to the fact that there
are many wonderful and beautiful things in our own particular surround-
ings, great or small as the case may be, that no one individual can monop-
olize or consider his or her own, but that require the united efforts and
energy of a community to ensure success." — Lady Aylmer.

THE UNCONGENIAL TASK.

"Most of us, as women, have to do work that wearies us, and keeps us
from doing things we would like to do, and from what we believe to be the
better part of life. It sorely tries our patience. All the same, patience is
one of the highest qualities we can achieve, so is steady perseverance. So
is the mastery of the spirit. There is no finer thing than to go resolutely
on, along a difficult way. All this pertains to the supreme achievement,
the making of character.

"The uncongenial task is commonly a contribution to the general wel-
fare. It is a service to society. The world must be clothed and shod and
fed, and the more difficult the task, so much more real is the sacrifice that
is made for the preservation." — Mrs. MacMillan, Royal Oak W. I.

INTERESTING LETTER RECEIVED BY THE BOARD.

"Thank you very much for your letter with enclosed clippings. We will
be very glad to get all the help you will supply us with at our meetings.
One lady said that Miss Livingstone's talk on the different cuts of meat
and the proper methods of cooking them was worth a great deal to her. I
think we will hold a thanksgiving service that we live in Canada when we
use the clippings entitled 'The Farmer's Wife.' " — Mrs. W. P. Rich, Salmon
Arm W. I.

PLEASURES OF COUNTRY LIFE.

"The pure fresh air, sense of freedom, plenty of good water, and what is
more beautiful than the early morning during Spring and Summer when
the dew is glistening on the trees and the grass in the sunshine? When
the birds are flying from bush to bush and the healthful sweet scents from
the gardens and fields? * * * I would not change places with anyone
in the city, country life is too enjoyable to me." — Mrs. Sweatmen, Met-
chosin W. I.

CHRISTMAS OFFERINGS.

"There are times when the very best Christmas gift we can bestow is a
letter, long and newsy. If we are still in the old home town, what a lot of
news we could write about all the old friends and places. If we are away,
among new scenes, how full of interest our letters might be, of all our new
surroundings; and in this way we could keep in close touch with one
another.

16

"There may be a distant friend who will be feeling lonely when the
holiday season arrives. How delighted she would be to receive a long letter.
Another gift of value, might take the form of an invitation to some solitary
one, to join the family circle; for at Christmas time, especially, we should
he on the look-out, for 'lonely hearts to cherish.' And surely if we are filled
with the Christmas spirit of giving in the highest sense, we shall have the
satisfaction of feeling that we have had our little share in spreading
'Peace and good-will toward men.' ' — Mrs. James Smith, Somenos, Gordon
Head W. I.

FIRST DAYS AT SCHOOL.

"Now, mother, your boy is leaving you little by little. Don't let him
forget you. Watch him and listen to his little troubles, but oh! they seem
so big to him! Mothers don't turn your little boy away when he comes
with his troubles. He comes home to mother as his best friend. * * *
Then when he comes to High School work and comes home with his lessons
to learn, perhaps you did not learn the things he does, for education has
changed since you went to school, but if you have followed him all through
school you will be able to help him now. * * * And when he is through
college and a man in business and people say, 'He is a fine business man
and a good man too/ you will knew why he is. It is because he took his
troubles through life to his mother and she was never too busy to listen
and advise him."— Mrs. Whittaker, Kaslo W. I.

BENEFITS FROM INSTITUTKS.

"Perhaps in no other way have w.e benefitted more than in the social
side of our Institute life, affording us opportunity to become acquainted
with some of the best women in the community that we might not meet in
any other way, and as W. I.'s are undenominational we can all feel at home.
We are grateful to the Department and appreciate the help given, especially
on Dec. llth and 12th when Miss Livingstone proved beyond a doubt to be
a noted demonstrator. The granting by the Department of two days instead
of one was a great improvement." — Mrs. B. Palmer, Cranbrook W. I.

A KINDLY LETTER TO THE BOARD.

"Your clippings thankfully received for which a vote of thanks was
passed at our last meeting. Our Institute room is nearly completed. We
are having a Valentine Social and we will be very pleased to see any of the
members and friends from William Head and Metchosin, the profits going
towards paying for piano and Institute Room. Wishing you a prosperous
year." — Mrs. A. H. Peatt, Colwood W. I.

THE RECIPES SENT ARE OF VALUE.

"I intend to get some more good reading. I also read, your clippings at
the last meeting and the members thought It was very kind and thoughtful
of you to think of us in that way. There were some very good recipes in
them too. Thanking you for the same." — Mrs. G. W. Atchison, Tyne-
head W. I.

A W. I. SCRAP BOOK.

"I have been slow in acknowledging the clippings you sent. Thanks for
your thoughtfulness, we will find them and any others you may send, very
helpful as we are about to commence the making of a scrap-book for refer-
ences, to be used by the members in preparing papers. Again thanking
you." — Mrs. D. H. Day, Chilliwack.

17
MEN'S WORK IN THE HOME.

One of our members sent New Year Greetings to a friend and in response
the friend's husband sent the following which our member thinks contains
food for reflection. It is an every day story for mothers:

"A Happy New Year to all from all of us. We had to discharge our
hired girl; Mrs. M — - was ill and I filled the position of stoker, cook,
first aid to the wounded, chaplain, dish washer, etc., etc., in addition to my
down-town duties at the office. On that account, and by reason of the
^stentorian yelling of the latest arrival, the 'hollerdays' passed like a
^kaleidoscopic nightmare."

o

DRUGS VS. HYGIENE.

There are many physicians who would stop giving drugs to their patients
if they could get them to adopt hygienic remedies, such as the application
•of hot, cold, or tepid water, warm enemas, and the various forms of the
"bath. But they are met by great stupidity in the use of these simple but
powerful remedial agents.

*********

I want to say a little about methods of hygiene for children, because we
Bolder folk have gone so far astray in our manner of living, that it is a
miracle we can still totter around, but with children we have a fair page
to write on, and if it gets defaced it is our fault. Living in these beautiful
country places, they are saved from many dangers which town children
must face, and all our children should be strong and rosy. But are they?
Our besetting sin is in the feeble way we guard them in the matter of food.
We let them eat all the mixture of food-stuffs we do, and then wonder what
is the matter with them. Where will you see such sturdy enjoyable young-
sters as in England, where among people as well-to-do as ourselves, the
children have their own table, and cheerfully eat their mutton, vegetables,
and rice pudding, half the year round, while at tea-time they get thin
T)read and butter with a little jam. With us, they get anything in sight,
and when they are feverish, as a natural consequence, some liquid drug is
poured down their throats. The true way of treating a feverish child is to
give a warm bath, followed by a copious enema, and rest in a cool bed. If
fever persists, try the effect of tepid water poured on the crown of the
head. And this is just as good for an adult as for a child. The patient can
lie comfortably along the front of the bed, a thick bath towel round his
neck. His head is to be supported by your left hand, face downward,
while pouring tepid water from a pitcher held in the right. A rubber sheet,
and a small bath tub' close by saves all untidiness. Five minutes of this
pouring gives a delicious feeling of coolness and relief. If fever should
again rise, after three or four hours, the pouring can be repeated with
perfect safety. Any sick person will feel grateful for this treatment. Sleep
is sure to follow its application.

I think you will unanimously agree with me, that methods like these
should be considered:

First, because they appeal to our common sense.

Second, to our tenderness.

And third, because they save our pocket book.

MRS. CHANDLER, Royal Oak W. I.

18

PAPERS BY INSTITUTE MEMBERS.

THE HARDSHIPS ON A FARM.
(Paper read before Metchosin \V. I. by Mrs. J. H. Smart.)

The hardships on a farm are those you make for yourself. One might
call the distance from town a hardship in case of sickness and a doctor
needed; but the telephone can easily remedy that at the present time. An-
other is, running short of anything belonging to housekeeping, being far
from town you have either to go without it or wait until you can go or send
to town. The remedy is: Make a list of such things as you find you need
them, and be ready with it when you go or send to town.

Another hardship on a farm is the water facilities in the house — few
farmhouses being supplied with water indoors. Even if you have to draw
water from a well, it is far preferable to drink pure well or spring water
than the impure bad water you are obliged to drink and pay dearly for in
some cities.

Of course, not having electric light may be counted by some people to be
a hardship on a farm. I think that lamp light is far the best for preserving
the eyesight, and cleaning and filling lamps is not such a very difficult piece
of work, and is soon done.

Having lived in a city all my life (until now) one of my hardships is
missing good concerts, entertainments and lectures, that are given by dif-
ferent churches and societies in the city, and which we cannot often enjoy
in the country . The remedy is: Persuade more people to come and settle
among us, taking up land and building more farms; then we may sooner
expect electric cars, and will soon be able to run to town for an evening's
entertainment, or better still, bring good entertainments out to us with
very little expense.

o

"One child sees sunlit air and sky

And bursting leaf buds round and ruddy;
Another looks at his own feet

And only sees that it is muddy."
o

FIRST AID.
(Paper read before Summerland W. I. by Mrs. Donlon.)

First aid just means the temporary treatment given to an emergency
case, or accident, before the doctor is in attendance, and should be, as far
as possible, in accordance with professional treatment — anything done in a
hurry, or in a muddle, without thinking, will often cause much trouble and
pain and consequently be of no use whatever — always try to keep a level
head, thinking while working.

WHAT WILL, BE WANTED.

Get ready clean clothes.
Make up the fire and put water to boil.

Get some couch or bed ready and see the doctor has been notified.
Some measures applied in a hurry might conflict with other treatment,,
such as:

Stimulants given in bleeding.

Moving a patient when rest is required.

Sitting up when lying down is better.

19

Attempting to reduce a dislocated joint or set a bone in a hurry, or
wrong treatment in case of poisons, might often be much worse than no
treatment at all; so the general principle of emergency treatment or first
aid is:

1. Rest to the whole body.

That is best secured by lying down flat on the back, on a bed if possible —
pillows are not necessary.

Rest to a joint or limb may be secured by bandaging.

A sling for the arm and crutch for leg, but often a leg can only be rested
by keeping off the foot altogether, as in a bad break or sprained ankle,
knee or hip.

Very often firm bandaging will do a great deal of good to rest in-
jured parts.

2. Stimulation is often necessary after fainting, exhaustion, fits or
shock.

Rub the limbs well and apply hot water bottles, irons or bricks. The
patient may inhale sal volatile ammonia, or take by mouth hot tea, coffee
and spirits, or if these things are not to be had, a teaspoon of perfume or
lemon extract.

3. Cleanliness is most essential, especially if wounds are to be handled.
Above all beware of the application of flour, cobwebs, cow manure or

dirty cloths — they often cause infections such as blood poisoning, etc.

See that all water used is boiled — a very good way to always have a
little boiled water is to save some after each meal in the hot water jug.

Freshly laundered clothes may be considered sterile (not from
Chinamen).

Good and simple antiseptics are: Carbolic acid, turpentine, alcohol,
formalin, and boracic acid. These all help to insure cleanliness.

Clean hands and short finger nails are most important, and when called
upon suddenly to help in any dressing put on large clean apron or even
night dress over ordinary clothing.

4. Artificial respiration may often be required after drowning, suffo-
cation or collapse.

Quickly loosen all clothing, especially around the neck. Have the head
low and waist elevated. Open the mouth and draw out the tongue, using
anything to open the mouth (even if you have to give pain to patient),
turn the head on one side, to prevent tongue falling back down throat.

Raise and lower elbows from chest over head about once every four
seconds.

Often good results are obtained after working an hour or more.

5. Drowning.

Remove all unnecessary clothing; lay on back with waist raised; then
roll from side to side to help empty the water from the lungs; then apply
artificial respiration, warmth and stimulants.

6. Fainting and shocks.

Lay patient on the back; plenty of fresh air; keep head low; slap with
wet towels. Allow plenty of rest after recovery and give some hot drinks,
smelling bottle, etc.

7. Suffocation.

Remove patient into fresh air and give artificial respiration.

20

8. Choking.

If a child is choking place over the knee head downwards; pull the?
mouth open with any hard object; reach with finger just as far as possible
down the throat and sweep from side to side — that will remove any ob-
struction; pull the tongue out and slap violently on the back.

9. Poison.

Every poison has its own antidote.

Carbolic acid. — Give alcohol or epsom salts and make patient vomit if
possible; stimulate the patient; do not give oil early.

10. For snake bite.

Tie anything tightly above the bite. If matches are obtainable, strike,
two or three and stick well into the bite hole. As soon as possible wash
out hole with Condip fluid. Keep bandage on for 24 hours — on no account
loosen, if anything tighten.

"The world must return some day to the word duty, and be done with-
the word reward."

— Robert Louis Stevenson.

OUR BOYS.
(Paper read before Xakusp W. I. by Mrs. Gregory.)

When I saw my name down to give a paper I began wondering what part
of the work connected with the Women's Institute I should take up, and
although I do not intend to talk about such topics as dairy work, poultry
raising, or even how to get $500 from an acre of land. I think the topic
I have chosen for today of equal importance with any of these I have
referred to, and so I intend to have a talk on "Our Boys."

Have you ever held a wee baby boy in your arms the first day of its life
and seen how beautifully and wonderfully made he is; did you realize that
the little morsel of humanity you held would some day be a man? Do we,
as mothers, think or study enough about the earliest training of our boys?
May we ever remember that the hand that rocks the cradle is the hand
that rules the world. So our boys' characters are made by our earliest
training, whether they be good or bad.

"What is a boy?" Some will say, the worry of my life, I never know
what they are doing. Now, if that is so, there must be a reason; I think
why we do not have the confidence of our boys is because we do not put
enough trust in them, and so make them feel that they are of some import-
ance in the world. Judge Lindsay, of the Juvenile Court of Denver, Colo-
rado, says that in most of the boys brought to his court there are some good
qualities, and they only want finding out, and the best way is to give them
your confidence. If he has a boy brought in for stealing, he usually has a
talk with him and then sends him out into the city with money to make
purchases for him, and very rarely does his plan of saving the boy fail. I
think, too, that a boy's father should be his best chum; one whom he can
confide in and one to whom he can go to for advice. I do not believe in the
plan of driving, but rather to draw them; there is an old proverb "that you
may take a horse to water, bat you cannot make him drink," so with
our boys.

21

What is a boy? Why, our future men, who will have the making of our
laws, the building up of our country; then how important that they shall
have a good home training, being taught the great truths of honesty,
morality, truthfulness, — and here, I think the mothers part comes in to a
very large extent, for after all who can or who should influence her boy
like a mother.

What is a boy? Why, the future husband of our daughters, and here,
again the mother's influence can always be used to teach them to always
respect their sisters, they are the ones to love and respect their wives, they
are the ones to make good husbands, the boys who love and respect their
mothers and sisters. Oh, I think when I read the papers sometimes that
if our boys were told what they ought to know on the great question of
personal purity, we should hear a great deal less about unhappy homes,
only too often ending in separation and the divorce court.

Sometimes we hear parents say, I cannot keep my boy at home of an
evening! Now there must be a reason for that, and I think one of the
chief reasons is that we do not provide the attractions that they seek else-
where. I would suggest that we have in our homes plenty of innocent
games, books suitable for our boys, one of the best rooms for them to sit
in, and so let them feel and know that we want their company.

Having touched briefly on some of the phases of our boys, the question
might be asked, what occupation should we give them? To that I would
suggest that we watch them, and see to what they are naturally inclined.
No doubt most of us would like to see our boys take up fruit farming, and
if there is the inclination, encourage it. Let them read all your fruit
magazines and farm journals, let them go with their father to the Farmer's
meetings, especially when the Government lecturers are here, also let them
feel that they have an interest in everything pertaining to ranch life; not
only the rough hard work of clearing land, but some of the more important
work of planting, spraying, etc., and by so doing we shall give them cause
to feel that although they are boys and of immature ages, they are not mere
nobodies, but someone of importance.

"There is no child so young and none so old but that the memory of his
mother holds when the night is darkest and the day is longest."

THE CARE OF CHILDREN'S TEETH.
(Paper read before Nelson W. I. by Dr. W. B. Steed.)

The care of children's teeth is an item that is very often neglected by
even the most attentive mothers, and although the percentage of people
who are looking more carefully to the welfare of their children's teeth is*
fast increasing, there is room for a great revival along these lines yet.

In some of the eastern cities dental inspection of the school children is-
being introduced, and where such an inspection has been carried out, the
statistics gathered have opened the eyes of even the dentists who were
responsible for the inspection having been made. In two Toronto schools
a careful inspection has revealed the startling fact that no less than 95%
of the children had decayed teeth, and in a great many cases^ the mouths*
of the little ones were in a terrible state..

When we stop to consider that every bit of nourishment the child gets
must pass through the mouth, we can easily see how very materially the
whole digestive apparatus must be affected when the food is contaminated
by the filth which is found in a great many mouths.

Then again, the primary function of the teeth is lost when uncared for
and allowed to decay till the child cannot masticate its food without pain.
From infancy onward the child is expected to double its weight a number
of times before it reaches maturity. From the kindergarten days on
through the public and high schools the mental capacity of the child is
expected to develop at a marvelous rate, when we consider how young the
average student is today when entering the university. Now, how are we
to expect all these good results when the one source of nutrition is impaired
by the first of the digestive organs not being in shape to do their work
properly?

Nature has provided twenty temporary, or baby teeth, to be used from
the time they begin to erupt, at the age of six months, till they are all re-
placed by the larger permanent teeth about the age of twelve yars. Very
often these teeth are allowed to go just because they are temporary, and
will be replaced later on. A greater mistake was never made. If the
temporary teeth are lost too soon, not only does the child lose that much
masticating surface, but the permanent teeth will come too soon, and
therefore improperly developed, and are almost sure to be irregular. The
•all too prevalent idea that the baby teeth stay in too long at times, and
thus cause the permanent teeth to be irregular, is wrong.

In ninety per cent, of cases, irregularity of the permanent teeth is due
to a premature extraction of some of the temporary teeth. But, you will
ask, how are we to save these temporary teeth; they decay so fast; and, can
teeth be filled for children so small? Yes, the baby teeth can be filled, and
filled quite satisfactorily and easily if taken at the right time. They should
be watched very carefully, and examined by a dentist every few months,
and in this way a cavity is caught while it is yet small. So much for the
baby teeth.

At the age of six years there come four permanent molars; they are the
first permanent, or sometimes called six year molars, and are placed just
back of the temporary teeth. These are often mistaken for baby teeth
because no baby teeth have been lost to make room for them, but they are
second teeth, and in fact the most important ones in the permanent set,
because around them all the others come, and if these molars are not in
place, the others grow into all sorts of irregular positions.

The actual cleaning of the teeth should begin as soon as the baby teeth
commence to erupt. Later on the child should be taught to clean its own
teeth, and then all that is necessary is to see that he or she does it properly.

The teeth of email children should be cleaned with a small brush and
plenty of lukewarm water. Later on a powder may be used. They should
be brushed after each meal and before bed time.

"Train up a child in the way he shoult go and when he is old he will
not depart from it." — Proverbs xxii. 6.

"The grinders cease because they are few." — Proverbs xii. 3.

23

GARDENING.
(Paper read before Sooke W. I. by Miss Murray.)

A beautiful garden, tastefully laid out, and well kept is a certain evi-
dence of taste, refinement, and culture. It makes a lowly cottage attractive,
and lends a charm to the stateliest palace. I can conceive of nothing more
dreary than to live in the country, and have no garden. To have a garden
is to have many friends continually near.

With what intense delight one watches the first tiny leaves of the seeds
one has planted. The cultivation of the soil possesses a wonderful fascina-
tion. Its very odor after a refreshing shower is inspiring, and as you
gather your flowers, you will also gather improvement in many ways. God
made them all, and what he designs should ne'er be deemed unworthy of
our study and our love.

Leigh Hunt says, "Flowers sweeten the air, rejoice the eye, link you with
nature and innocence, and are something to love." If they cannot love you
in return, they cannot hate you, cannot utter hateful words, even if neglect-
ed, for though they are all beauty, they possess no vanity, and living as they
do, to do you good, and afford you pleasure, how can you neglect them!
Plant with care and skill, water when needful, feed plenty of nourishment,
keep clear from weeds, tie, stake, prune, and cultivate daily, and you will
never regret the small investment required to commence and continue a
garden, but will become more and more enamoured with the occupation, and
will yearly increase your stock.

CUTTING AND PRESERVING FLOWERS.

Flowers should never be cut during the intense heat of the day, but
either while wet with dew in the early morning, or after sunset when the
falling dew has refreshed them. Do not break them off harshly, but cut
them with a knife or scissors. A knife is best as it does not lacerate the
minute tubes which draw up the water that nourishes the flowers. If these
tubes or pores are closed up the flower soon withers. To keep flowers fresh,
the ends of the stalks should be cut off a little every time you change the
water and a pinch of saltpetre and salt tends to prevent their decay. Soap
suds, which has been widely recommended, spoils the flowers very quickly.
Flowers put in a vase filled with pieces of charcoal and water will keep
fresh a long time if the water is changed every day. Rain water is best for
watering plants or for cut flowers. Do not be chary of picking your flowers,
the more you gather the more you will have.

Our forefathers, in fleeing from the persecutions and ceremonies of an
established church, cast from them all outward adornments, but we o/
these later days desire to see our churches adorned with the "Green things
of the earth," and the practice of adorning churches with flowers is becom-
ing almost universal. If there is any kind of adornment which more than
another seems fitted to God's House it is that thoughtful use of the "Green
things of the earth."

Bring flowers to the shrine where we kneel in prayer,

They are nature's offering their place is there!

They speak of hope to the fainting heart,

With a voice of comfort, they come and part,

They sleep in dust through the wintry hours,

They break forth in glory, bring flowers, bright flowers.

They speak to us of love and joy; of hope and peace; of humility and
confidence, and also of bitter sorrow and grief — for they are associated with

24

those who have passed away, and whose loss has darkened the horizon of
our lives. They also teach us of the Resurrection of the dead, and the Life
immortal, that fadeth not away. They are everywhere, and are closely
mingled with both joy and sorrow. Truly Mrs. Browning says, "There
are nettles everywhere, but smooth green grasses are more common still,
the blue of Heaven is larger than the cloud."

Plants are divided into Annuals, Perennials and Biennials.

Annuals are plants which spring from seed, grow and flower and seed
and perish with the Autumn. They are divided into hardy, half-hardy and
tender. They will grow almost anywhere, but will thrive much better if
heed is paid to their wants, and they are provided with a sunny location
well drained, and supplied with rich sandy loam. Most of them will reward
you with a brighter show of flowers if well fed. It does not pay to starve
plants any more than to starve animals. When your seeds are planted,
unless the day is showery and cloudy, they will require sheltering from the
heat of the sun. Old newspapers are the best protection. Lay them over
the seeds after they have been well watered, and fasten at the corners with
small stones. At night remove them to let the dew moisten the ground, and
put back before it is dried up in the morning. Continue this till the tiny
leaflets appear then remove entirely. If the ground is dry the seeds must be
thoroughly wet every night. When they have put forth the fourth or fifth
leaf it is time to transplant them. Select a showery, cloudy day, or plant
after nightfall and then water and shade from the sun of the next day.

PERENNIALS.

Perennials are those which live and blossom through many successive
seasons. They die down every year, but the faithful old roots live and when
the sun awakes them from their wintry sleep, they spring up anew and de-
light our senses. But if their roots are not divided and their food renewed
— after a few years they dwindle away and finally perish. October is the
best month for dividing and transplanting the roots, which greatly improve
the size and beauty of the flowers.

BIENNIALS.

Biennials are plants which like annuals generally die after producing
flowers and seed, but are two years in perfecting these. Some may be in-
duced to flower for two or three successive seasons, by preventing them
from going to seed. Canterbury Bells, and Hollyhocks are biennials.

GERANIUMS.

Geraniums must be planted out in good rich loam, with a mulch of
manure. Water with liquid manure twice a week during the Summer. If
plants are old prune them closely; if taken from pots prune the roots also.
Shade for a day or two after planting out. Cuttings should be taken in July
and planted in small pots of sandy loam with one or two inches of sand
en top. Keep the sand sopping wet until rooted. Then transplant with
larger pot of one-third rotted cow manure one-third black loam and one-
third sand. By November the plants will be ready for house culture.

PANSIES.

Pansies will grow in shady nooks where no other plant will bloom.
Flowers are largest when the plant is small. Take cuttings from the points
of the shoots and cut about three inches long immediately below a joint,
strip off the long leaves and plant in sand or peg down the young shoots
with a hairpin and cover all but an inch or two of the point with fine sand.

25

They require moisture, shade, and liquid manure. Fuschia cuttings should
be taken in February, March or April.

ROSES.

There is no plant which requires a richer soil or better repays attention
to its wants than the Rose. Its top dress in Spring is composed of well-
rotted cow manure, fresh loam and a little sand. Prune closely. Cuttings
of hardy roses will stick easily in July or August with flour or sulphur to
destroy the green caterpillar. Spring flowering bulbs should be planted in
October and November. The dark sandy loam under the pine trees in the,
woods is the best for all bulbs. Cover with mulch of manure or leaves.

o

"Children of yesterday
Heirs of to-morrow
What are you weaving —

Labor or sorrow?"
o

THE TRUE SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS.
(Paper read before Chilliwack W. I. by Mrs. Hall.)

What Christmas really means is this — that on Christmas Day the boun-
daries of earth and heaven touch and intermingle, and that the love of God
and the love of man are two sides of the same blessing and in these truths
belong to all good creeds.

You cannot dodge Christmas. It is a spry institution. It chases you,
corners you and makes you perform whatever your mood may be, whatever
your purse may be, along about the last of the year, like an inexorable Fate,
comes a day when you have to give things to a lot of people. If you did not
do this the people themselves might possibly forgive you; but you would
not forgive yourself.

Christmas is the celebration of the birthday of one who was very poor;
one who had nothing to give away but love, sympathy and kindly ministry.
He probably never bought a bauble for anybody; He left no estate; it was
almost certain that He died in debt, and yet He was the friend of man. He
gave the world more than anyone else ever gave and the stream of His
friendliness and bestowment still flows. The kings and priests of his day
had little use for Him, but the sick were carried to Him; little children
nestled to Him, and erring women laved His feet with their tears. It is a
good thing to commemorate perpetually the birthday of this man; good to
give to your friends reasonable tokens of remembrance and regard, but the
modern Christmas has in most quarters fallen to the level of strain and
extravagance, while the tax of it, and the actual debt frequently incurred
for "presents" lie heavy upon the individual and the home.

By promiscuous and vain glorious giving; by a one-day's riotous confer-
ment of hastily chosen gew-gaws, we have made Christmas a senseless orgy;
a sin to be confessed and turned from. Take our Christmas as it stands to-
day, the toiling, the crowding, the spending, the tinsel, the tax, the sham —
and set it over against the spirit and teaching of the Man in whose name
Christianity exists. What would this Man think of it? What would he say
of it? What would He do with it, if he were to step in suddenly and
handle the situation?

An excess of anything carries with its its own distemper. Too much food
brings cellular decays; too much play spoils a man for serious endeavor;
too much money clogs the soul and keeps real happiness from flowing

26

through it. In like manner too many gifts — a sheer downpour of gifts on
a single occasion — stem the consciousness of the recipient and make him
temporarily incapable of appreciating any gifts at all. A surfeit of gifts
is a complete perversion of the purpose of giving, which is to express
remembrance and regard and give pleasure to the one who receives.

Christmas Day really brings us, year by year, an assurance that God
loves the world and cares for each of us, and visits us, and having Himself
entered into the experiences of our human life from the beginning knows
us, understands us, and is blessedly able to make sympathetic allowance
for us. And, having its dawn and brightness in the face of a little Child,
it consecrates our natural love of children, and sends us here and there on
pleasant errands whose intention is to make the children happy. That is
the keynote of the day; that is the birthday of a child — a child festival.

And since Christmas is a child festival, plainly it should be observed
with such rites as will make children happy. It is well that the house
should be hung with green festoons and wreaths in the window, so that it
shall shine like Christmas and look like Christmas, and shout a Merry
Christmas to all passersby. It is right that there should be a tree with
its tops pointing to Heaven; the source of all our blessings, with its
branches stretched out in all directions of the compass, a symbol of the
fraternity and hospitality of this holy season.

It is right that stockings shall hang, a bulging row, beside the fire-place
or outside the bedroom doors, for the tree and the stockings belong to the
Christmas tradition, and have come down through many centuries, a heri-
tage of delight which we in turn are to cherish and transmit. All mystic
observances which connect us with the friendly saints, with knights and
minstrels, with immemorial songs and stories, and which apart from all
antiquity, are good for their own sake. It is well and right too, that there
should be gifts for the children, just as the wise men travelled over the
long roads from the mysterious East, and brought gifts to the Christ child.
But let the gifts be few, for the plain effect of a great lot of gifts is only to
confuse the children. Their arms are filled with twenty different toys and
games, and their minds are filled with a proportionate perplexity which
presently makes its way to their nerves. The result is that nothing is
fairly appreciated; half of the gifts are broken before sundown and the
children go to bed with frowns and tears. A smaller number of gifts and
more love and care in their selection would aid also in keeping the children,
and us elders as well, in truer accord with the real Christmas spirit, for the
heart of Christmas happiness is kindliness and consideration and concern
for others. The thoughtful purchaser, he or she, who brings few gifts, but
buys them with love and care, lifts a lot of the heavy burden which falls
at this time on the shoulders of the shop girls. So to begin early and buy
less and with greater care is a way to extend the Christmas blessings of
good-will and peace. A simple Christmas would give us more time to think
of others who are saddened and less fortunate and who may need us. What
greater blessings would come with the day if we thought a little more of
others? We would be glad in the true spirit of the life that was given to
the world on that day; a life of simplicity in itself and of love and con-
sideration for others.

o

"Christmastide it is warm and sweet
A whole world's heart at a baby's feet."

— Richard Burton.

27

THE FARM DINNER MENUS COMPETITION.

At the request of the Advisory Board, Mis® Livingstone included in her
Fall lectures and demonstrations (1911) a series of competitions in farm
dinner menus. Each W. I. offered a prize for the best balanced menus
given in by its members. Each competitor sent dinner menus for one week
in October or November to the Secretary who forwarded them to Miss
Livingstone to criticize and judge. The Secretary retained the names and
marked the menus by numbers for identification later. A partial report
has been received from Miss Livingstone with some of the prize menus.
She writes:

"From Royal Oak and Metchosin Institutes I received the largest lists
of menus, also the best standards. The menus on the whole have been ex-
cellent. I criticized them from a practical everyday standpoint, taking into
consideration nutrition, economy and the saving of labor. It might be
advisable for the menus to be kept for discussion at the regular monthly
meetings; they might also be kept for discussion at a meeting when I
might visit them again or some one else doing the work on the same lines."

PRIZE MENUS FROM ROYAL OAK W. I., BY MRS. GALE.

Sunday — Roast Chicken and Currant Jelly; Baked Potatoes and Creamed

Cauliflower; Tomato and Lettuce Salad; Orange Pudding.
Monday — Tomato Soup; Fried Sausages; Mashed Potatoes and Creamed

Carrots; Cottage Pudding and Caramel Sauce.
Tuesday — Macaroni Soup; Roast Beef with Horse Radish Sauce; Potatoes

Baked with Beef; Mashed Turnips; Apple Tapioca with Boiled Custard.
Wednesday — Celery Soup; Rabbit Pie; Boiled Potatoes and Creamed

Cauliflower; Carrot Pudding with Sauce, and Lemon Rice Pudding.
Thursday — Baked Ham and Baked Spaghetti with Egges and Cheese;

Mashed Potatoes and Sliced Tomatoes; Lemon Rice Pudding.
Friday — Boiled Halibut with Parsley Sauce; Veal Cutlets; Boiled Potatoes

and Fried Parsnips; Baked Custard.
Saturday — Tomato Soup; Scalloped Salmon; Baked Potatoes and Buttered

Carrots; Apple and Blackberry Pie.

PRIZE MENUS, METCHOSIN W. I., BY MRS. WALLACE PEARS.

Sunday — Roast Beef, Yorkshire Pudding; Horseradish Sauce; Steamed

Potatoes; Cauliflower; Birds' Nest Pudding; Celery; Crackers and

Cheese.
Monday — Cold Beef; Baked Potatoes; Pickled Beets; Rice Pudding; Baked

Apples.
Tuesday — Hashed Beef; Cabbage; Steamed Potatoes; Ginger Pudding;

Sweet Sauce.
Wednesday — Artichoke Soup; Roast Pheasant; Saratoga Potatoes; Bread

and Butter Pudding.
Thursday — Roast Leg Mutton; Braised Onions; Brown Potatoes with

Roast; Prime Tart and Cream.
Friday — Stuffed Salmon (baked), Brown Gravy; Raisin Pudding, Vinegar

Sauce.
Saturday — Cream Tomato Soup; Cold Mutton; Mashed Potatoes; Baked

Beets; Cornflour Pudding; Stewed Pears.

28

PRIZE MENUS FROM AGASSIZ W. I., BY MISS CONSTANCE AGASSIZ.

Sunday — Roast Chicken and Boiled Ham and Bread Sauce; Mashed Pota-
toes and Cauliflower; Celery and Cheese.
Monday — Pea Soup; Mutton Curry with Rice; Boiled Potatoes; Stewed

Pears and Boiled Custard.
Tuesday — Bouillion; Roast Beef with Yorkshire Pudding; Boiled Potatoes

and Mashed Turnips; Pineapple Jelly.
Wednesday — Tomato Soup; Minced Beef; Mashed Potatoes and Brussels

Sprouts; Boiled Carrot Pudding.
Thursday — Mulligatawny Soup; Boiled Shoulder of Mutton; Potatoes and

Artichokes with White Sauce; Cabinet Pudding.
Friday — Mutton Broth; Boiled Cod Fish with Egg Sauce; Potatoes and

Onions; Apple Charlotte.
Saturday — Onion Soup; Roast Loin of Mutton; Baked Potatoes and Stewed

Celery; Boiled Apple Pudding.

I'IMXK MENUS FROM TYNEHEA I > \V. I., BY MRS. II. I A ',IA'^.

Sunday — Roast Pheesant and Bread Sauce; Mashed Turnips and Baked
Potatoes; Chow-chow; Queen of Puddings with Jam.

Monday — Rice Soup; Roast Haunch of Venison with Red Currant Jelly;
Mashed Potatoes and Cabbage; Tomato Catsup; Apple Pie.

Tuesday — Potato Soup; Curried Venison with Boiled Rice and Beetroot
Pickles; Tomatoes, Onions and Mashed Potatoes.

AVediiesdsy — Barley Eroth; Fried Pork and Boston Baked Beans; Brussels
Sprouts and Baked Potatoes; Steamed Pudding with Hard Sauce.

Thursday — Pea Soup; Roast Pork with Apple Sauce; Cucumber Pickles;
Boiled Carrots with Melted Butter; Mashed Potatoes; Rice Pudding
with Raisins.

Friday — Boiled Salmon with Melted Butter; Beefsteak Pie; Mashed Turnips
and Mashed Potatoes; Tomato Catsup; Pumpkin Pie.

Saturday — Tomato Soup; Brace Roast Grouse with Bread Sauce; Tomatoes
stewed with Onions and Mashed Potatoes; Mixed Pickles; Apple Dump-
lings.

"The Eagle is a good bird for soaring, but the Hen has done more for the
advancement of civilization."

29

THE USE OF INSTITUTE FUNDS.

The members of the Board have been collecting opinions from the
officers of the W. I.'s as to best disposal of Institute funds and have found
that the general opinion seems to be that there are certain primary needs
of Institutes and certain ways of helping in the neighbourhood directly in
line with the aims of W. I.'s which make early demands upon Institute
funds. These in the order of their importance are:

A convenient and pleasant meeting place properly equipped and fur-
nished.

Literature of an educational order, books of reference, magazines,
pamphlets on Domestic Science, etc.

Encouragement of Home-making department at local Fairs by exhibits
of Institute work, by prize giving and helping in whatever way seems best
in each locality.

Establishment of some co-operative work among the members, purchase
of articles of common use to be loaned to members, and Women's Exchanges
in larger centres.

Encouragement of Domestic Science, horticulture in schools by prize
giving. Seeking to improve sanitary, hygienic and aesthetic conditions of
schools.

Holding of social gatherings to welcome new-comers, holding public
meetings of an educational character, lantern slide lectures, etc.

Printing of Programmes for the year.

THE MEETING PLACE.

Often meetings are held at the homes of members and this is a custom
that sometimes revives an Institute when other means fail and is a nice
change. But as several officers point out, for regular meetings, a regular
day and hour and place is best.

The Institute room whether rented, loaned or owned should be equipped
with stove and tables for demonstrations and comfortably furnished, well
lighted and ventilated. It should have a cupboard to hold stationery,
records, dishes, linen, books and anything else necessary for the conveni-
ence of lecturers and members, and for the business of the Institute and
its social functions.

In some districts the members anticipate that the W. I. room will become
the meeting-place and rest room and club room for the women of the
neighbourhood.

Often the energy and enthusiasm aroused by the securing and furnish-
ing of a W. I. room brightens up the Institute and gets the sympathy of the
whole neighbourhood in its aims and enterprises.

LITERATURE.

At every Institute in the Province the need of literature is felt and most
of them have made requests for a supply. Some want pamphlets and
magazines, some want books of reference, some want a circulating library,
and some want a book and magazine exchange. Since the Advisory Board
has been appointed a special study has been made of the needs of W. I.'s
in this regard and we are able now to point out several ways in which this
need may be met.

30

The first in importance is undoubtedly a reference library. To this end
a list of books was compiled from many sources and recommended by the
Board to the Department, which had the list printed and sent out to every
W. I. member, with price and place of purchase. There is plenty of choice
in the list and almost every sort of book required in the beginning of a
reference library is there. Another list of recent publications is now being
prepared, so that the cry "What shall we get and where shall we get it?"
is no longer timely.

As to a circulating library, that too is easily secured — if the supply holds
out. Any Institute may on application to the Provincial Librarian secure
one of the Rural Travelling Libraries which are already a great boon in
many W. I.'s and in country parts. In these libraries are now included,
at the request of the Advisory Board, books of special interest to home-
makers. The cost will be only that of transportation.

The McGill Travelling Libraries and various book clubs also offer facil-
ities for purchase or loan of books. Information regarding these plans
may be secured from the Secretary of the Adv.sory Board.

A book and magazine exchange is entirely an affair for each W. I. to
arrange. But it is easily done and at moderate cost. The usual way is to
subscribe a certain sum, get the advertised combination offers of magazines,
which are much cheaper, draw lots as to which subscriber shall have which
magazine first, and then order the magazines on that understanding.

An exchange of books usually means that a certain number of books are
loaned by members, put in charge of one member and allowed to go the
rounds of all joining in the donation.

As to pamphlets, these are usually bought by the members or asked for
generally through the Secretary of the Institute. Many excellent pamphlets
are to be had for the asking and the secretaries will do well to keep these
in hand for the use of members and even to purchase a few of the best as
issued. A well-selected list of recent publications is included in the
book lists.

The Institutes which indulge in a library will never regret the step.
The members can thus get help in preparing papers, can secure ideas for
entertainments or work, can have inspiring words at hand when interest
flags, can get information and material for meetings, and can have oppor-
tunity for courses of study and self-improvement.

CO-OPERATIVE WORK.

Mr. Scott has some valuable suggestions to make in this regard. He
writes: —

"The primary object of Women's Institutes is to engender the spirit of
mutual help by the co-operation of the individual members. "In unity is
strength" and objects may be accomplished and brought to a successful
issue by united action, which would fail if attempted by individual enter-
prise. By means of the Women's Institutes of British Columbia, work can
be accomplished if properly undertaken, which will materially benefit both
financially and otherwise, all those participating.

Co-operation is the keynote of success, and is the first principle govern-
ing all business undertakings. Why, therefore, should it not prove equally
beneficial in the conduct of Women's Institute work?

Some of the benefits which the Institutes may derive by co-operation
are as follows: —

31

1. Towards securing a building which may be devoted to Institute meet-
ing*. This may be accomplished through the co-operation of the members
fcy giving public entertainments, the proceeds of which, supplemented by
Institute funds, if considered advisable, could form the nucleus of a build-
aag^ fund. This can be further increased by subscriptions from members
and interested friends.

I would urge on all Institutes the advisability of taking action in accord-
amce with these suggestions, so that they may own their own Institute hall
asd be independent. It will be found that greater interest will be shown
hy members in the work of the Institute, and consequently greater good
will be accomplished.

2. The securing of supplies and commodities for home use by whole-
sale. The advantage of this united action is obvious, and needs no further
comment. It will result in a material saving to each individual member.

3. The marketing of produce by organization and co-operation of mem-
bers Just as a ton of flour can be purchased at aAower rate than a sack,

eq can a ton of apples be marketed to better advantage tEan one box.

4. The establishment of an Exchange and Selling Agency would un-
doubtedly prove a boon to any Institute, and may be accomplished by co-
operation.

5. The formation of a Book, Magazine, and Periodical Exchange, if
conducted on right lines, would prove a great benefit to women in rural
districts, and would provide a greater variety of reading matter for each
household for the winter evenings.

6. By the co-operation of members, representative exhibits advertising
the resources of the district could be made at the Fall Fairs. One member
is noted for her skill in fancy needlework, another in bottling fruits and
vegetables, potted plants are the specialty of another, dairy and poultry
products of another, and so on. By this means, an exhibit which would
prove a credit to the district will be forthcoming, and the honour and
kudos accruing therefrom would belong to the Institute.

Many more instances may be adduced, showing the advantages of co-
operation, and both the educational and pecuniary benefit which will un-
doubtedly result therefrom.

There is still one phase of co-operation which I have not mentioned, and
this is probably the most important of all. The unison of members working
towards any object should engender a kindly feeling one towards the other,
make us more lenient of each other's failings, and more appreciative of each
other's good points. Much good work has already been done by some
Women's Institutes along the lines of co-operation, and it is to be hoped
that the good example set may be followed by others who have not as yet
realized the many advantages which may be realized by concerted action.

"A house divided against itself cannot stand." Let the following be a
motto conspicuously posted in all Institute halls, "United we stand, divided
we fall." '

EXHIBITION WORK.

The many outlets for activity in connection with the local fairs hardly
need to be enumerated. There is donation of prizes for women's and
children's work; there is establishment of a rest-room and payment of
women in charge; -there is taking charge of department of, women's work;

•

32 ,

there is giving a W. I. exhibit; there is the running of lunch and tea rooms;
there is ,co-operatin,g with the Farmers' Institute. No one will question
that in furthering these plans the W. I. is making a proper use of funds.

PRIZES IN SCHOOLS.

Prizes are offered for different branches of Domestic Science and of
horticulture* and allied sciences. Athletics and gymnastics are also en-
couraged. There are, it is to be hoped, no Institutes which offer money
prizes. The best prize is a book on the subject for Which prize is offered.

Aid is given in different ways to improve sanitary conditions and appear-
ance of schools. No W. I. need hesitate as to such work being within the
scope of the mothers of the neighborhood. But it is often a question as to
how the reform can be worked. The W. I.'s should deal with it impersonal-
ly and impartially'and be careful not to antagonize those in charge.

PRINTING YEARLY PROGRAMMES.

Mrs. Davies' views on this topic are interesting. She sayi?:-—

"Institute work in B. C. is, as yet, in its infancy. It is in a 'more or less
experimental stage and careful thought and planning is necessary to enable
the Institutes to accomplish the work for which they have been organized —
the bettering of the conditions which surround us. Our Institutes are al-
ready supplying what is a great need in many communities, a place of
meeting where ladies young and old may meet and discuss things of interest
to all. These meetings take much time and thought to plan — anything
worth while takes work — without this careful thought the meeting cannot
prove interesting or useful. If dull or seemingly of little benefit, members
will not attend, prospective members refuse to join, and who can
wonder at it? :'

We women live busy lives and to throw away an afternoon waiting for
something to happen, for someone to have a brilliant idea is decidedly an
aggravation and we do not care to have it happen again.

Who then should be responsible for these interesting meetings? The
president? Only as a member of the Institute. Of course she has to keep
in touch with everything of moment in her Institute but her duties are
usually so many and so varied that it is hardly fair to hold her responsible.
The Secretary-Treasurer? Well, if she keeps her minutes, her .finances, her
correspondence all straight and up to time, surely she is doing her share
towards making the Institute a success. Who then better than a few, say
3 to 5, of the members chosen for their interest? Let them be regularly
appointed at the annual meeting as a standing committee for the year, and
with the President draft out the year's programme and in due time hand
to the Secretary printed copies for circulation.

Printed programmes are one of the best ways of advertising the W. I.
meetings. Members enjoy showing the printed copies to- their friends.
They find it much easier to keep the meeting in mind, to come prepared
to join in discussions of topics and to answer the roll call with subjects
suggested.

Other advantages are: The time of meetings need not be taken up by
discussions as to next meeting but can be devoted to educational and social
interests; the printing of programmes is dignified and business-like and
puts the Institute at once on a higher level and greatly adds to its repu-
tation as a progressive and live organization. The cost of printing will be-
easily met by the fees of new members joining.

33

When an Institute has its new programmes in hand it would be a much
appreciated act of courtesy to let the Advisory Board have copies. There
can thus be an interchange of programmes with other Institutes in the
Province.

There are many other ways in which funds could be disposed of to ad-
vantage. But it is considered that the Institutes are formed for a distinct
purpose to improve home and neighbourhood conditions and as such are not
charitable but rather educational in their work. All sorts of claims are
made upon the Institute all over the Province many of which it is impos-
sible to disregard and local conditions will help to decide what is best. But
the aims of any organization ought to be steadfast even if our sympathies
divert our attention now and again. We ought always to be able to come
back to our work for the improving of home and neighbourhood conditions."

"The men of this country have failed in their duty and responsibility in
connection with the country school house. * * * The men have not been
able to solve that question, and if it is going to be solved it is up to you
women to rebuild and regenerate the country school house." — C. C. James,
Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Ontario.

34

THE INSTITUTE SET OF BOOKS.

According to the Rules and Regulations (Sec. 34), "The Secretary shall
keep a book in which shall be entered the names and addresses of mem-
bers in alphabetical order, also a book to be used as a mailing list, which
shall contain the names of parties to whom posters may be sent." It may
also be presumed from the Act that the Secretary keeps a Minute Book,
the Treasurer a Cash Book and Receipt Book.

The Advisory Board would like to suggest the advisability of at least
two other books, a Visitors' Book and a Scrap Book.

In the book containing the list of members there could also be kept a
list of Officers and Executive for each year. As the Institutes are of recent
organization, these lists could be had from .the beginning and in the years to
come will be a valuable record.

The Address Book could have all sorts of addresses, those of absent mem-
bers, or of members who have left locality, of officials, of lecturers, of all
with whom the Institute may have official relations. It may contain busi-
ness addresses as these are often required by members.

In the Visitors Book the autographs of lecturers, officials, and other
visitors to the Institutes may be preserved. Often the visitor will add a
few helpful words and the Institute will thus have a pleasing souvenir of
an enjoyable visit.

The many uses of a Scrap Book need not be dilat'ed upon. It can hold
all printed data about the Institute, its work, entertainments, etc., letters
of interest, circulars from Department and elsewhere, newspaper clippings
and so forth. Snapshots of locality, of members, of place of meetings, of
exhibits from Institute, etc., may enliven its pages. In the Chilliwack W. L,
as will be seen in letter elsewhere, they are using the clippings sent out by
the Board to begin a scrap book which will "be a reference for members
preparing papers. This is a splendid idea.

This set of books or even fewer with combined purposes will be not only
of present value and convenience and a means of awakening interest and
pride in local achievements but more than that the "books will contain a
record of distinct historical value, will greatly help in getting out reports,
year books, etc., and will often be the only record kept in the locality of
any of the local people or landmarks.

In eastern Canada the value of local documents is well understood and
the historical societies encourage these records. But in B. C. we are too
careless about pioneer work. The W. I.'s will do a good work if they not
only keep their own records "but stimulate x>ther "bodies to do likewise.

"Women of Canada, let us unite in one great effort to uphold the honor
of God's name, and to eradicate the evil of bad language from Canada, for
the sake of our country and of OUT children/" — Mrs. Harry Jackson, Kempt-
ville W. I., Ontario.

35

SOME PAPERS READ AT W. I. MEETINGS
IN B. C., 1911.

The Physical Life of a Child Mrs. Herridge, Nakusp, W. I.

Domestic Science Mrs. Herridge, Nakusp W. I.

The Age of Shams Mrs. Herridge, Nakusp W. I.

Emergency Cases. . . Dr. Mossman, Nakusp W. I.

Happiness in the Home Mrs. Quance, Nakusp W. I.

Our Boys Mrs. Gregory, Nakusp W. I.

Kindergarten Work Miss Stark, Nelson W. I.

Care of Children's Teeth Dr. Steed, Nelson W. I.

Men and Women of the Future Dr. Isabel Arthur, Nelson W. I.

Physical Drill for Boys and Girls Mrs. Crease, Nelson W. I.

Home Making Nelson W. I.

Vegetables Mrs. James Johnston, Nelson W. I.

An Ideal Garden Mrs. Rutherford, Nelson W. I.

Cleaning Carpets and Curtains Mrs. Dynes, Nelson W. I.

The Uncongenial Task Mrs. MacMillan, Royal Oak W. I.

The Gardens of Saanich — a Prophecy. . . .Mrs. Hutchinson, Royal Oak W. I.

Drugs versus Hygiene Mrs. Chandler, Royal Oak W. I.

Hardships on a Farm and the Remedies Mrs. Smart, Metchosin W. I.

Christmas Decorations Mrs. Smart, Metchosin W. I.

Woman as a Citizen Mrs. Watt, Metchosin W. I.

Character Building Miss Evans, Metchosin W. I.

Gardening Mrs. Neild, Metchosin W. I.

Pleasures of Country Life Mrs. Sweatman, Metchosin W. I.

First Aid Mrs. Donlon, Summerland W. I.

First Days at School Mrs. Whittaker, Kaslo W. I.

The Annual Fruit Fair Mrs. Keen, Kaslo W. I.

The Training of Children Mrs. Abbie, Nakusp W. I.

The True Spirit of Christmas Mrs. Hall, Chilliwack W. I.

Christmas Offerings Mrs. Smith, Gordon Head W. I.

To Keep Up the Interest of the Institute Mrs. Smart, Metchosin W. I.

Sleep Royal Oak W. I.

Economy in the Home M. Evans, Cranbrook W. I.

Liver as an Article of Diet Mrs. Nicholson, Royal Oak W. I.

Gardening from a Woman's Standpoint Miss Murray, Sooke W. I.

A Trip Down the Skeena and Life in Hazelton .... Mrs. Harvey, Sooke W. I.

The Value of Little Things Mrs. French, Sooke W. I.

Some Common Ailments and Their Treatment. . . .Mrs. Murray, Soo}ce W. I.

Sleep Mrs. Croft, Cloverdale W. I.

Stencilling Mrs. J. H. Mercer, Chilliwack W. I.

Co-operation of Teachers and Parents Mrs. Cuthbert, Agassiz W. I.

Washing of Flannels Mrs. Maurice, Agassiz W. I.

Butter-making Mrs. West, Agassiz W. I.

Antiseptics Miss Miller, Agassiz W. I.

Music and Song Mrs. Grant, Royal Oak W. I.

House Furnishing Mrs. Croft, Cloverdale, W. I.

Early Art — Design Royal Oak W. I.

Economy in the Kitchen Mrs. Green, Kaslo W. I.

36

Unwelcome Guests Mrs. Green, Kaslo W. I.

Girls in the Home Mrs. H. Kent, Langley W. I.

How to Make Institute Meetings a Success Langley W. I.

Spring in the Country Mrs. J. S. Shopland, Comox W. I.

Many of these papers besides other excellent ones will be published by
the Department as opportunity offers, such as in the Annual Report of
W. I.'s. For lack of space many of those sent in to the Advisory Board
cannot be included in this Bulletin but will appear later.

"It is only a question of time if the Women's Institute movement be-
comes as widespread, proportionately, in British Columbia as in Ontario,
when the centres of culture will have shifted from town to country." —
M.R.W.

PROGRAMME OF THE CHILLIWACK W. I., 1912.

January —

Discussion of Programme 1912.

February —

Household Expenses ................................. Mrs. Boucher

Preparation of Winter Vegetables ..................... Mrs. Denholm

Roll Call, answered ............................ "my pet economy"

March —

Spring Gardening ................................. Mrs. F. Chadsey

Cookery for Sick and Convalescents .................. Miss Robertson

Roll Call . . .......................... Preservation and Use of Eggs

Also planning for visit from Matsqui W. I.

April —

Dust and Its Dangers ......................... Mrs. Robt. Stevenson

Flours and Bread-Making ......................... Mrs. Alex Mercer

Roll Call ................................. "my favorite sandwich"

May —

Cereals .......................................... Miss L. Royds

Canning and Preserving ........................ Mrs. A. D. Wheeler

Roll Call ...... . ..... '. ................................... Icings

June —

Address by Mr. J. E. Bowes.

Salads ............................... Mrs.. H. Hall and Mrs. Stuart

Roll. Call ................................ ............ "my salad"

July-

Laundry Work ................................. Mrs. W. M. White

Household Sanitation ............................... Dr. Henderson

Roll Call . ................................... Cool Summer Drinks

August —

Care and Feeding of Children ..................... ...... Mrs. Patten

Cool Desserts .................. Mrs. H. J. Barber and Mrs. J. H. Day

Rbll Call ........................................... Useful Hints

September-

Care of Children's Teeth ...................... ...... .Dr. Muirhead

Pickles ...................... Mrs. D. Morden and Mrs. Jeff Harrison

37

October —

Education Mr. Calvert

Home Made Candy Miss Irene Knight

Roll Call Candy Recipes

]\Tovember —

Exhibition of Christmas Gifts Miss W. Budd and Miss Morse

Preparation of Meats Mrs. S. Cosens

Roll Call Christmas Recipes

December- —

School Children's Lunches Mrs. Ferris

Roll Call -..-.:. .-;-. Christmas Menus

Two ladies serve tea and some of whatever cookery is discussed, at close

of each meeting.

PROGRAMME OF THE LANGLEY FORT
WOMEN'S INSTITUTE, 1912.

February —

Question Box — Subject, Selected.

Roll Call Answered by How We Are Benefited by Meeting Together

March —

Question Box — Subject, Spring Sewing.

Roll Call Answered by quotations from favorite authors

April —

Question Box — Subject for discussion, Best Methods for Doing Spring
Cleaning.

Roll Call. .Answered by suggestions for improving the outward appear-
ance of our homes.
May-
Question Box — Subject, Care of Young Chickens and Garden.

Garden.

Roll Call Answered by Seasonable Hints

June —

Question Box — Subject, Canning and Preserving Fruit.
July —

Question Box — Subject, How We Can Make Best Use of the Holiday Sea-
son in Finding Work and Amusement for Children.

Roll Call Answered by Recipes for Seasonable Dishes

August;

Question Box — Subject, The Extermination of the Fly.

Roll Call Answered by Cool Dishes for Summer

September —

Question Box — Subject, The Care and Management of House Plants and
Bulbs.

Roll Call Answered by suggestions for Autumn gardening

October —

Question Box — Subject, Country Life and Its Advantages.

How to Entertain Guests in the Country.

Roll Call "My favorite pickle"

38

November —

Question Box — Debate, Subject to be selected. Leaders, Mrs. Hogben

and Mrs. Rennie.
Roll Call Answered by suggestions for simple Christmas gifts

December —

Question Box — Subject, Best Magazines and Literature in the Home.

Roll Call Answered by Best Means of Obtaining New Members

Meetings held third Tuesday of the month at 2.30.

PROGRAMME OF THE KASLO WOMEN'S
INSTITUTE, 1912.

January —

Discussion of Programme, 1912.

February —

Demonstration on Bandaging Miss Alexander

Cures for Burns and Cuts and so forth.

March —

Garden Pests. Economy in the Kitchen Mrs. W. J. Green

April-
Growing Vegetables Mrs. Davis

Canning Vegetables Mrs. Norman

May —

Dyeing and Cleaning Clothes Mrs. Whittaker

June —

Pastry Discussion.

Prize to be given by the Institute for competition by members only, at
the July Cherry Festival.

"Unfaithfulness in keeping an appointment is an act of clear dishonesty.
You may as well borrow a person's money as his time."

39

NOTES FROM THE INSTITUTES.

During the year demonstrations have been given at many Institutes on
various subjects. Among these are: stencilling, cookery of meats and
vegetables, pickling and preserving, biscuit-making, first aid and emerg-
encies, dyeing and cleaning, use of vacuum cleaner, laundry work, bread-
making, cooling drinks, salads, dress-making, cutting-out, Swiss rolls,
shirt-waists, darning and mending, and cake-making.

At the Cranbrook W. I. meetings there is often read aloud a paper by an
Ontario W. I. member which usually leads to a full discussion on the sub-
ject. Two good objects are achieved. The local member gets used to read-
ing aloud and a freer discussion ensues than if the paper were written by
some one present. This is an excellent plan for those beginning to take
part in meetings, but it will not long be needed.

The achievement of the Kaslo W. I. in holding a Pair after the local
Agricultural Association had given it up and in clearing over $400 by it
is noteworthy. Judging from newspaper accounts the fair was also an
educational and social success. The Colwood and Metchosin W. I. held a
similar fair year before last and also cleared over $400. The figures seem
catching. Any of the Institutes could stand an epidemic of this sort.

The Comox W. I. have supplemented the articles sent then: by the Ad-
visory Board in a very practical way. It was arranged to have the articles
form subject of the next regular meeting and each member was asked to
bring other clippings to the meeting. "And then," the secretary adds, "we
will be able to send you some." The Board appreciates this thoughtful
offer very much and will read and then pass the good words along.

The Chilliwack W. I. has a programme committee which gets out the
yearly printed programme, provides demonstrations and refreshments at
meetings, and once a month arranges a social afternoon at the home of one
of the members. Members bring their sewing, new members are intro-
duced, refreshments are served and a collection is taken up. Who wouldn't
be glad to drop something in the money-box after such a delightful
afternoon?

The establishment and maintenance of a Rest Room in the city by the
Nelson W. I. reflects great credit. The merchants came nobly to the aid of
the ladies in furnishing. The Chiliwack W. I. has for years carried on a
similar work. The rooms must be a great boon to country members in
especial.

In both the Royal Oak and the Metchosin W. I. 's members have made
fireless cookers for their own use; the one designed and made by Mrs.
Neild of Happy Valley is being demonstrated before her Institute at the
March meeting. Both cookers are reported as proving satisfactory and as
being easy to make and -handle.

The Langley W. I. hold a flower show each year and use part of their
funds this way. They have also secured the services of a dressmaker to
give lessons in cutting out. It was from a member of this Institute that
the idea of a W. I. pin for the Dominion originated. The idea of a Do-
minion motto came from the Board.

The annual report of the Kaslo W. I. together with their programme
for the next six months has been printed on the back of their note-paper,

40

so that every letter sent out shews what good work this Institute is doing,
and also the cheering fact that their balance in the bank is just about $450.

At an up-country fair, the Summerland W. I. offered 35 prizes in women's
work, embroidered initials, eyelet embroidery, shirt waists, cushion tops,
embroidered towels, pillow cases, crocheting, stencilling,, darning and
mending, print dress, knitting and dolls' clothes.

The secretary for last year of the Coquitlam W. I. for some years ran a
successful poultry and small fruit farm. She reports great sympathy and
help from members of the Institute. Another member of the Coquitlam
Institute has made a success of running incubators for herself and for the
neighbours.

The president of the Royal Oak W. I. has realize^ her dream of many
years in the starting of a Women's Exchange in Victoria. The Exchange did
a brisk business before Christmas and has found it necessary already to
move into larger quarters. The Nelson W. I. has also started an Exchange
in connection with its rest room.

At a demonstration given this month before the Nelson W. I. by the
local Domestic Science teacher on' paper-bag cookery great interest was
displayed and it was suggested that the Institute act as agents for the bags.
This is certainly a practical measure of co-operation.

The Colwood W. I. though but recently organized is shewing a com-
mendable spirit. They are raising funds to build an annex to the local
hall and for the purchase of a piano. They realize that an attractive meet-
ing place is a prime need.

The W. I. of Comox would like to hear from the other W, I.'s especially
as to the use of funds. Many of the Institutes are talking o.f an interchange
of information. The Nakusp W. I. would like to have an interchange of
programmes.

The secretary of the Agassiz W. I. sends with notice of meeting, title of
topic to be discussed and asks members to come prepared to ask at least two
questions about the subject. This is a good way to ensure a full discussion.

In Matsqui, the W. I. help in community work by completing payment on
the piano in the town hall where they hold their meetings and monthly
socials. They voted over a hundred dollars to paint the hall and intend
to raise more to properly finish it.

The Silver Cup for the best Women's Institute exhibit at the Provincial
Fair Victoria, 1910, was won by the Lake Hill W. I. The cup was pre-
sented on behalf of the Association by Mrs. A. T. Watt who complimented
the Institute on a most creditable exhibit in variety, display and
decoration.

The Summerland W. I. reports that Miss 'Livingstone's lectures were
popular and well attended and 'that there would have been inore* entries in
the menu competition but that the members were busy with Christmas
preparations.

In many of the W. I.'s the December meetings were taken by papers and
discussions on Christmas preparations. An excellent paper was read before
the Chilliwack W. I. by Mrs. Hall and was afterwards published in the
local paper.

41

In the Cloverdale W. I. they are doing some community work. Some
trees were planted this year around the recreation ground. In many other
Institutes the claims of the neighborhood are being recognized in dif-
ferent ways.

The Agassiz W. I. use a writing pad with a printed heading descriptive
of the advantages of the locality. Thus every letter sent out is an adver-
tisement for that district. This is fine development work.

In the Central Park W. I. they give sewing prizes for the children at the
local fair. The Agricultural Association lend the Institute a room which
makes a pleasant meeting-place.

The Tynehead W. I. has made a sensible and kindly use of its funds in
sending money to the Tranquille Sanitorium, an example every W. I. in
the Province should follow. Every member of this W. I. gets the Cana-
dian Home Journal.

The Farmers' Institute of Chilliwack invite the W. I. to be their guests
at their annual banquet and it is an occasion of much social enjoyment and"
of benefit to each Institute. That's another good example. Last year sev-
eral of the Institutes tried holding competitions for prizes such as button-
hole and darning and mending competitions.

The Sooke W. I. intends having an afternoon meeting devoted to Helps
in Housekeeping, when the clippings sent out by the Board will be discussed
along with other suggestions.

At the closing' session of Miss Livingstone's demonstrations before the
Cranbrcok W. I. the Farmers' Institute was invited for a social evening and
a most enjoyable time was spent.

To Nakusp W. I. belongs the honpr of being the first Institute 'in the
Province to have -a printed programme. Was Nakusp or Chilliwack or
some other the first in the Province?

During the- past- year the Sooke, W. I. assisted in furnishing the local
hall. They have devoted special attention to country pursuits, poultry
raising and gardening.

The regular meetings of the Metchosin W. I: are opened with the Lord's
Prayer in unison. Many women's non-sectarian organizations in Victoria
and Vancouver open with silent prayer.

A novel way of promoting cleanliness and hygiene in the district school
is that, of Tynehead W. I., the members of which pay for the scrubbing of
the school for six months in the year.

Many W. I.'s in the Province give at least one entertainment in the
course of the year in conjunction with the Farmers' Institutes. This is a
regular practice in Ontario.

In Matsqui a pleasing fact is that so many of the young-girls of the dis-
trict belong to the Institute. The daughters of members and their young
girl friends ought to be brought into the work as far as possible.

At the Nakusp Fair of last year the W. I. fitted up a rest room as also
did the Nelson W. I. at their fair. The rooms were in charge of women and
in Nelson a nurse was in attendance.

Cranbrook W. I. has fixed June 22nd as the date of its annual picnic.
Since its picnic of last year its membership has greatly increased. The
Institutes in the lower mainland nearly all have annual picnics and usually
invite the Farmers' Institute.

The Nelson W. I. last year conducted sewing classes for some weeks, at
its own expense. The members report great profit and increased interest
in the work of the Institute.

42

Last year the Summerland W. I. had papers on out-door occupations for
women, on Bees, on Chickens, on Roses and Dahlias, on The Making of
Lawns and so forth.

At a recent Cranbrook W. I. meeting there were present 30 members
out of a membership paid-up of 33. That is the right sort of a meeting.

The Metchosin W. I. has bought a vacuum cleaner and a stencil outfit for
the use of its members. This Institute intends to try further means of co-
operation among its members.

At the close of a meeting of the Chairman of the Board with the Mission
W. I. some new members joined and an increased interest in the work is
likely to ensue.

In Penticton the institute have had to do the work of a hospital auxil-
iary owing to the difficulty of organizing the necessary Society. The mem-
bers find plenty of work raising funds.

The Salmon Arm W. I. have given $50 towards the building of an
agricultural hall in which they will have a room for their meetings. This
is a worthy object.

The Kaslo W. I. reports that they have now a membership of 47 and
that all are workers "For Home and Country."

The Royal Oak W. I. understand fully the value of good newspaper
accounts of their meetings. This is the way to keep up interest and dis-
seminate useful information.

The Lake Hill W. I. is willing to engage lecturers at their own expense
to supplement the government lectures. They consider this a most valued
part of their work.

The Gordon Head W. I. shews great interest in its annual exhibit at the
Victoria Fair. This year they won the silver cup by a most praiseworthy

exhibit.

The Sooke W. I. held a picnic last summer in conjunction with the
Farmers' Institute and all say that it was a great success.

Prizes are given to the children who raise best flowers and vegetables
by the Agassiz W. I. Many other W. I.'s are intending to do the same
this season.

At Royal Oak the Christmas Tree for the district children was under-
taken by the W. I. and a glorious time was had by young and old alike.

The secretary of the Agassiz W. I. paid a visit in February to the Chilli-
wack W. I. and reports herself as greatly pleased with their work.

Officers of the Matsqui W. I. intend next month to visit the Chilliwack
W. I. Interchange of visits among adjacent Institutes will soon be more
frequent in B. C. as the value is realized.

"We have always heard and read a great deal about the brotherhood of
man, but I think it was left for the organization known as the Women's
Institute to bring out the true significance of the sisterhood of women." —
Mrs. Brethour, Burford W. I., Ontario.

43

NOTICE.

The Department of Agriculture is issuing the following series of bul-
letins prepared by Miss Alice Ravenhill, Shawnigan Lake, B. C., to be avail-
able for distribution among the members of the Women's Institutes
throughout the Province: —

1. The Place and Purpose of Family Life.

2. The Preparation of Food.

3. The Preservation of Food.

4. Some Labour-saving Devices in the Home.

5. Food and Diet.

6. The Art of Right Living.

7. The Care of Children.

BULLETINS ISSUED BTT THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.
No.

7. Flax.

8. Feeding Farm Animate.

20. Varieties of Fruit Recommended (revised).

25. Orchard Cleansing.

28. Production of Eggs.

29. Poultry Industry on the Pacific Coast.

30. Guide to Bee-keeping in British Columbia.

32. Control of Bovine Tuberculosis in British Columbia.

33. Fruit-growing Possibilities, Skeena River and Porchar Island Dis-

tricts.

34. Fruit-trees and Black-spot Canker.

35. The Place and Purpose of Family Life.
36*. The . Preparation of Food.

37. The Preservation of Food.

38. The Construction of Silos.

39. Natural and Artificial Incubation and Brooding.

40. Alfalfa.

41. Labour-saving Devices in the Household.

42. Apiculture in British Columbia.

43. Women's Institute Work in British Columbia.

Applications for bulletins published by the Department of Agriculture
should be addressed to the Secretary, Department of Agriculture, B. C.

GENERAL LIBRARY
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA— BERKELEY

RETURN TO DESK FROM WHICH BORROWED

This book is due on the last date stamped below, or on the

date to which renewed.
Renewed books are subject to immediate recall.

14Jun'55lT

f 855

LD 21-100m-l,'54(1887sl6)476

/v-

THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY