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8 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.