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Female Echication.
BT CAROLINA.
The time is past when the educa
tion of woman waa considered of
minor importance, and when a know
ledge of housewifery was deemed all
sufficient to fit her for her mission as
wife and mother. In the present age
every advantage is afforded her, and
the ease with which the female mind
has grasped and appreciated subjects
onoe considered beyond its reach, has
entitled her to a claim to intellectual
oompaniouship with man, and he has
generously awarded her the position
her acquirements merit True, some
strong minds, in ambitious frenzy,
seem to aspire to heights which are
neither desirable or womanly, and we
even hear of a woman building a rail
road. These, however, are few and
exceptional cases, and while, if they
wish, they have a right to build rail
roads, others have an equal right to
stay at home and sew on buttons and
make puddings. But “Sorosis" and
other “Women’s Clubs" for
ment and advancement, have as yet
no existence among us, and where no
evil exists, no remedy iB needed. I
acknowledge the need for much im
provement before woman becdmcs
what she should be, for the tendency of
the age seems to be to make her a
puppet of fashion. But there is a
medium ground between flouncing a
dress and building a rail road, and
and upon this ground she may enjoy
full intellectual development without a
sacrifice of any fire sideduty or pleasure.
How is this to be attained? How can
a woman find time for both literature
and housewifery ? But the proper sys
tem of education. The present genera
tion of married women have become
domestic victims to the cares and an
noyances incident to the new system of
labor, and with which their inex
Sirienoe was unprepared to cope.
ence our brightest years are clouded
with unfamiliar duties, leaving but few
bright hours for literary enjoyments,
but we can educate our daughters with
necessary strength to meet these
difficulties, which are taking our best
years to overcome. A woman’s educa
tion generally ends with marriage, and
after that event more minds degenerate
than advance in •literature. But this
fact is often attributable to the want of
time, and encouragement to mental im
provemeat. What man ever thinks of
discussing a scientific question with
his wife? Very tew, and so all the
powers of her mind are left to expand
themselves on trimming dresses and
manufacturing dainties. I believe many
women stifle a desire and inclination
for the paths of literature for the sake
of husband and children. To them her
first duty is due, and in the effort to
render them happy and her homo plea
sant, her time absorbed in home duties
which leave no liesure for the literary
recreation which the mind demands.
Now do men desire their wives to be
housekeepers alone, or oongenial
companion* If the former, then let
the question rest, for there will then
be need fir but little improvement,
but if our women aro allowed to de
generate, it will prove a serious below
to the whole race. My idea is to make
them both, and then men will find the
fireside more interesting.
I admit that after doing the house
work, superintending dinner, striving
to diminish the pile of family sewing,
and getting the baby to sleep, there is
often very little inclination left to dive
into some abstruse subject, especially
if Fanny’s dress is to be mended and
Joe's new jacket finished.
Is there no remedy for this state of
things ? Will not the aid of sewing
machines, and other labor-saving im
vention® give our womeh more time
to devote to mental culture ? To an
swer this will evolve the lact that even
when, in our impoverished State, our
people can afford the labor-saving in
ventions it is so difficult to find labor
to properly use these advantages.
Into all these difficulties I do not wish
to dive for my picture might seem the
painting of a gloomy “croaker.” I see
however the bright sunlight iu the dis
tance which is to fall with warm re
fulgence on the paths of our daughter
Let them benefit from our errors and
disadvantages by teaching them how
to avoid the sloughs through which
w-e have had to struggle.
BANNER OF THE SOUTH AND PLANTERS’JOURNAL.
This then is the dawn of a golden
age” for our women in which they
shall learn to combine the characteris
tics of a refined, Christian gentlewoman,
a thorough scholar, a cheerful house
wife, and an expert cook. It is the
combination of these excellencies
which makes a perfect woman, and
renders her an ornament to society, a
a blessing to her husband, and an
example to her children. In order
then to fill this three fold mission, her
education should be conducted on a
plan calculated to develop strength to
meet the requirements of each posi
tion (
The importance of rearing children
“in the nature and admonition of the
Lord” is so universally felt as a para
mount duty that it is unnecessary tor
me to discuss it here. Two other things
are to be sought in the education of
daughters, viz: domesticity, which is
their natural element and in which
every female may excel; and intellectual
acquirements, in which many may ex
cel and all be benefitted.
Now domesticity and literature have
been deemed incompatible, but
they can be harmoniously blended in
the same character. I am convinced
that a woman should be familiar with
all useful knowledge, from writing
verses to making shirts; from reading
Latin to milking cows ; from playing
the piano to harnessing horses; from
computing interest to knitting socks ;
and from soothing children even to
building rail roads. It often happens
that women are called upon to perform
duties and labors which strictly belong
toman’s sphere, and it is meet that they
should be prepared to perform such
work when necessary. With such a
store of knowledge they will generally
meet life bravely and cheerfully, be
cause prepared for all its phases
Oirls should be accustomed to rise
early and to keep their own rooms,
even where no necessity exists for it.
Habits of indolence once formed cling
to us with a tenacity which is hard to
overcome, and the woman who rises
late seldom accomplishes much, and
the habit of rising early is easier
formed iu girlhood than womanhood.
Teach them to sew. Encourage them
first to make clothes for their dolls,
and gradually the doll’s clothes will be
replaced by her own clothes. Sewing
machines do not render this knowledge
unnecessary ; for in order to become
an expert operator of a machine it is
very important to understand the mys
teries of hand-sewing. In whatever
work they are engaged, impress on
their minds the truth of the honored
old maxim that, “whatever is worth
doing, is worth doing well. "
Teach them to cook, and occasion
ally require them to attend to house
hold matters and exercise their -own
judgment in the preparation of meals.
Even if they fall do not consider the
ingredients wasted for their knowledge
thus obtained may save many more
important failures when they assume
the care of their own household.
But while these domestic lessons
are being instilled the mind must not
be neglected, and in this matter very
much depends on the beginning. Be
sure that the rudiments are well under
stood and don’t be too anxious for a
child to advance rapidly or accumulate
studies. Too few years alas! are
allowed women in which to gain an
education, and parents generally are
too willing to see their daughters pro
gress, without troubling themselves to
ascertain if one study is understood
before another is commenced. Chil
dren cannot be expected to appreciate
an education, and ii is our duty to see
that they improve their time and op
portunities. While it is desirable that
a woman’s education should be classi
cal, it is much more important that she
thoroughly understand the primary
branches, for which she will find a
practical need in her experience. How
many women we see who spell incor
rectly, and to whom a note with par
tial payments to be computed is as
enigmatical as a geometrical theorem,
and this after passing through a col
legiate course of study. This can and
should bk remedied. No girl should
be allowed to study any more advanced
subject until she can read wdtl, spell
and write correctly and thoroughly un
derstand the principles of arithmetic
and grammar. Even when with bright
active minds and retentive memories,
they readily conquer these studies,
they should not be allowed to advance
too rapidly. We find in many female
schools girls from fourteen to sixteen
years of age (and sometimes even
younger) studying Natural Philosophy,
Mataphysics, Astronomy and Logic.
Now at such an age very few minds
are sufficiently mature to receive and
appreciate such studies. Hence the
beauties of these sciences are all un
seen ; a few facts are learned which
in a few years are forgotten, and the
mind is not taught to love and seek
for the beauties of science. Then too
they leave school too soon and as a
natural consequence marry too soon,
and their whole lives seem under
pressure from this force-pump of too
rapid advancement \ and development,
from which we should endeavor to
release our daughters.
It is a work of years and patience
to accomplish so many things; to instil
domestic virtues, to train the heart and
mind, to perfect the morals an I man
ners, and in no way retard or check
the physical development and yet the
object is worthy of the effort. After
such rearing a woman is prepared to
go on with the sterner duties of life,
and if she marries, being already mis
tress of her position, and not having
then to learn all the intricacies of the
domestic machinery, she may find
more time to devote to literature and
ait, and prove herself truly “Heaven’s
last, best gift to man.”— Reconstructed
Farmer.
From the Southern Farm and Home.
Plantation Accounts-
EXPENSES.
The intelligent planter scans closely
his list of ex(jenses, if, mayhap, any
item may be reduced, and how. Take
for example, overseer's tca fes. These
involve a heavy outlay. Can they be
evaded, or reduced ?
Study it thus: Can I diminish this
expense—
First —By becoming my own Su
perintendent
Second —By employing a man or
boy unskilled, but honest, to keep the
keys.
' Third. —By getting aid in my own
family, to avoid over confinement.
Fourth —By renting the land, in
whole or hi part, to tenants capable of
self-management.
The squad, or gang system, so long
prevalent, is rapidly disintegrating,
and this particular item will, with that
system, gradually disappear (for better
or for worse) from most plantation ac
counts in which it once proved a lead
ing item.
What does it cost me, including
wages, food and extras? Does it pay?
Do I make enough extra to pay for
the extra cost ? Is the compensation
in mere personal ease or in actual profit.
Can I not do better by iny own ef
forts?
If remote from your land, get and
pay for good skill and services. They
are indispensable.
HANDS.
In hiring remember they are to be fed;
save by hiring good ones, as poor
hands #e scarcely worth food. Use
more horse power in proportion. Say,
two-horse plows; or (this, if you pay
money wages—otherwise, if part of
the crop,) use labor-saving implements.
Restrict area to best land. Use more
personal labor (if hands to be directed
are few) and labor of your'own family.
Get extra labor when “one stitch saves
nine.” Get extra labor in advance of
pinching times (as of harvest, etc.,) so
as to use your own cheaper labor then.
Push work in good weather. Push
cotton picking, ginning, etc., when the
days are long. Stimulate by rewards
and races for prices. Unless the crop
pays well, hire fewer hands another
year.
Remember wages go on whether work
does or not; so keep moving. Hiring
extra labor at ordinary rates does not
demoralize your own hauds ; therefore
keep things ahead of the season if you
can.
Study these suggestions after the
manner not of a literary paper, but of
a recipe.
Arrange crop so as to do as much
work with the plow as possible.
MULES.
The original outlay for mules on
most farms is heavy. We might well
raise our own horses and mules, thus
saving a large prime cost, and limit
ing the cotton crop to just proper
tions.
If the cost of keeping is heavv, keep
them always employed. But arrange
to feed on something cheaper than corn;
say, on oats, hay, pea-vine hay, clever,
barley. Then, you can keep mares
to raise from, and use them to prepare
land to advantage and at pushing sea
sons. One can cultivate more land
than he can prepare.
Take care of stock, as to stables,
gear, regular food and good treat
ment
The prime cost, wear and tear, and
feeding of mules are among the largest
expenses of a farm—and worthy of
much study.
SUPPLIES.
Make at home.
Remember bought supplies cost (trice
the price of hauling and marketing,
extra.
Often, if not so engaged, you would
be making nothing. Raise cheap
crops, especially abundant long forage;
such as oats, grass, hay, pea-vine hay,
clover, barley, rye and the like. Home
comforts and abundance are the
cheapest of all. Have a variety of
vegetables, fruits, melons, potatoes, etc.,
and you live both cheaply and well.
Get the best seed, and keep it im
proving by selection. Repay your
outlay by selling. You can always
sell at extra pnee, if you will take
pains, to those who will not take pains.
The field wo-enter on here is too wide
for details. It would require a whole
paper.
TOOLS.
Keep an ample supply of the best.
Their cost is less in proportion to their
importance than anything else. Let
no one wait for a tool. Get such as
keep best up to standard and are easily
repaired.
Observe the relative expense on your
land of one-horse plows and two-horse
plows, and act on it,
I think that more work is done for
the cost by two-horse wagons than by
four horse.
WEAR AND TEAR.
Keep things well up. The least
expense and the greatest effi
ciency are both promoted thus. Land
can be saved from washing, mules
from wearing out, tools kept in con
dition, harness in repair—all to best
advantage by early attention.
FERTILIZERS.
Make all the domestic manure you
can. Avoid w-asto before putting in ;
save hauling, and haul to advantage.
Apply at proper time and depth. I be
gin to think more favorably of broad
casting, and putting in deeply, in our
drought afflicted section. On corn, put
in deep, or at second plowing. Use
green crops, especially peas, as much
as you can for green manuring. Then
buy fertilizers, so as to cultivate no
poor, unremunerative land.
Buy for cash, if possible—to get
cheaper and to choose your own time
of selling crop.
TAXES AND INTEREST.
If yon have unproductive capital in
land, sell some. Keep capital all mov
ing, viz. : Land iu cultivation, except
needed rest; mules at w-ork, etc.; as
interest and taxes move.
Such are some of the numerous hints
and suggestions one will derive from
studying the expense side of his ac
count. The book, with its balance
sheet, serves much the same purpose as
a chess-board—showing all the pieces
and their relations at a glance. At
the close of each year close the account
carefully and accurately, and study it
well and often. Con it, and ruminate
over it; digest it.
What change in other things will
this particular change render neces
cessary? You should, as a fanner,
follow the ad vice given by Napoleon to
an officer: “Be always thinking what
you will do, if' this or that thing hap- !
pens.” Observe all the leaks ; observe ;
the real sources of profit, and become a
better farmer year by year. Let the con
jectures of last year be the certainties
of this. The deeper you go into this
study, the better it will pay, and the
more it will interest you. Its apparent
and real complexity will clear up by
long familiarity. You will improve
both in comprehension and in detail.
You will learn to study and get
tolerable solutions of such questions as
these: “What should be the ratio of
hands to horse power? What of
hands and horses to acres? What is
the dew point (so to speak) of different
crops at which they begin to deposit
profit f The fewest furrows needed
in preparation and in cultivation ?
Saving hands and horses ?” All labor
saving ought to count; see to it Ask
yourself questions constantly, thus:
“Are four mules two drivers, one
ginner and one tender necessary in
ginning? Can I save a driver ; save a
tender (or basket hander,) and set them
to picking?” In hauling manure,
think it over, and see if you are losing
no labor.
Let clubs and societies occasionally
scan closely the schemes of the most
successful members.
We now take leave of tnis impor
tant and dull subject. There may be
nothing very interesting in calculus,
but it is very importat, nevertheless, to
calculate; and the remits are interest
ing and agreeable, as well as impor
tant. As the charity boy, quoted by
Dickens, remarked, after studying the
alphabet, that: “Whether it was
worth while to go through so much to
learn so little, was a matter of taste,”
we beg to say thAt this thing of ac
counts is a matter of business, not of
taste; and the question may well be
reversed, whether it does not pay “to
go through so little to get so much" in
a business way? “He that drinks
deepest will like the taste best, and
find his profit and his pleasure alike in
the study.” Sam’l Barnett.
Washington, Georgia.
Premium Burra at the State
Fair —Dr. J. A. Reid, of Madison
county, Ya, who received the pre
mium for the “best tub of firkin butter,
not less than six months old,” awarded
at the late Virginia State Fair, sub
mitted the follwing statement of the
process of making and packing:
“We cool the milk as soon as possible
after it is milked ; a small portion of
ice around the pans cools it very soon.
The milk is allowed to stand about
24 hours before it is skimmed, and, if
projterly cooled when first milked, it
will not thicken nor sour in that time
in scarcely any west her
tilated dairy. We use care in skim
ming to take only the cream—the less
millk with the cream the better. The
cream is kept in good v stone jars, and
churned as soon as it begins to sour.
We use the barrel chum and pan, fifty
to sixty revolutions per minute, with a
steady, even stroke; it takes from
thirty-five to forty-five minutes to make
the butter come. As soon as the granules
begin to form, if they are soft or of a
whitish, creamy appearance, as they
will be if the cream is too warm, we
cool down with ice until they acquire
a proper consistency. As soon as. the
churning is finished, we draw.off the
buttermilk and press the whey all out
of the butter with the paddle; it is
then salted at the rate of one ounce of
salt to one pound of butter, which is
well worked in the butter. It is then
set aside tor six or eight hours for the
salt to dissolve and the butter to cool
; "’lien it is thoroughly worked and
! pressed to get the whey all out of it,
and pack down at once in stone jars,
using the paddle and packer all the
time, and never touching it with the
hand. An ounce of salt is none too
much, as a large portion of it is car
ried off with the whey in the last work
ing of the butter. As soon as the
jar is filled a thick coat of salt is put
over the top of it, then apiece of paper
greased by dipping it in melted suet, a
cup of butter Is placed over the top of
that, then another fold of paper, and
all secured by trying a thick cotton
cloth over the mouth of the jar. But
ter managed in this way will keep
from May until the next spring per
fectly sweet.”
Seldom do we meet with a truth more
beautifully expressed than this from the New
York Nation: “Hefiued homes are the end
of civilization. All the work of the world
—the railroading, navigating, digging, delv
ing, manufacturing, inventingT teaching,
writing, fighting, are done, first of all, to
secure each family in the quiet possession of
its own hearth; and, secondly, to surround
as many hearths as possible with grace and
culture and beauty. The work of all races
for five thousand years is represented in the
difference between a wigwam and a lady’s
parlor. It has no better result to show.”*
Anger your friend, and you will be sur
prised to find what a villain you are, even
in his estimation.