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if fifty years ago than they are Could we not make a study ,1 EDUCATION Provincial Convener, Mrs. A. D. llIclloiignll, Maxville. Throughout the Province there is a notable increase in the number of branches devoting time and study to the departâ€" mental bulletins, and similar helps, including circulating 1i- br 3. Pas hly the most no- tic ihle pro l)t‘e»“‘ld0 move- ment is that of sponsoring musi- cnl ' struction in schools and DRIER-ll festivals, as reported from practically every area in the Province. Most satisfactory results have followed this branch of the work. Briefly, the general trend is for larger edu- cational vision as evidenced in the subjects studied, which in the Kingston area includes archi- tectilrc, Local biography sketches, M.P.‘s on Government, regulations, psychology, education, electiic res frigcratinn, basic principles of telephone and radio, mnunted police, league of nations, status of Canada tanking. art. literature, pictur Talks by local doctors, cleig ' nd school teachers: travel tal s and many other lines of educational work, Civic and social, have been feaâ€" tured. Debates have been an increasingly popular method of creating and maintaining; ins ter .t in topiCs of the day, while cul'i't‘nt events are proving a definite asset to the branrhe: in bringing to the busy homemaker the local, county, provincial, Dominion and World happenings. Roll calls have taken on a de- cideil educational aspect deal- ing with grogiaphy, hist siniilni subjects lcnding variety to tho nieetin I’Cnllliistl’atlll more and more popular as an effective means of carryng in- formation in an interesting way, while cahi ire being utilized as an erlucar .il n‘leihlnl of pie- senting Othel\\l> I' V or iliilicult subjects in a i sing and 3:17 Ceptalilc maiinui Pictures, hanih-iafc, 1...le 5, historical rescnlch and other subjects beâ€" ing llrnug‘l‘lt delightfully to the members through this means. Motion Pictures also have found a place in the educational programmes of the branches. Poster and essay contests con~ tinuc to be an annual feature sponsored by one district, with most gratifying results, and a very splendid n. operative spirit exists between the tracllc s and parents and (it? Ili~titlitc brunch. Some sections have availed themselves of the seriivcs of the Agiicultural Representative, to mutual admiriaqe, while not a few have rcalizei the benefits of the (Ien‘lnhx’irfllifln lecture cour. .' available through the Department of Agriculture. One branch in eastern Ontario has inaugurated a ..unday Song Ser- vice and Stow llour, which has provided much enjoyment. An eastern hr ch featured education as folloi : 1. A lively debate was cniui'ed when the “Grandmothers.” upheld the aflirmative in the question: “Re- solved that our grandmothers enjnw'd life more than we do now." 2 'i\'ic education was in» cm ml by the l'e'iding of cur- rent events at each meeting, by the unwaveringr of a roll call, “Give the Name and lluty of a Cabinet Mini<tor", and by hear- ing a brief paptr on “The Life of the present Goveninr-Gcner- al, and his Duties.” 3. Social education was fur- thered by impressii papers on, “Proper Use of Leisure," and "Eil'eet of Enviionment", Suitâ€" able stories were told in the Sunday Song Service and Story Hour, to put before the children living examples to follow and splendid moral lessons to re- member. V J. Efiorts along musical lines wci'c attempted by encourag- ing more home and community singing. The singing of hymns on Sunday taught the children many sacred songs. 5. Practical projects were carried out by organizing and conducting a “Sunday Song Scr» vice and Story Hour", which was largely attended and great- ly enjoyed. . Another project was the “Dis play of Quilt Patterns", also Samples of Christmas Gifts. Another branch.7Educationâ€" 1. Roll callsâ€"A duty of a hos- tess: a noted Canadian and why?: current events; a fav- ourite picture in my possession, with exhibit; your reasons wlly Christmas giving should or should not be eliminated. 2. Discussion: “Need we have another war?“ led by two of the members. 3. Paper: “The Book of the Month"fi.ynopsis of the book “The Lantern in Her Hand” by nne of the members. »1. Addresses: (a) Little courtesics worth knowing and observing. (b) Why I am glad I live in 1933. (c) A notable Canadian au- thorâ€"Sir Stephen Leas cockâ€" '5 own autobio- graphy given in Sun- shine Sketches in a little town and the excursion on the Mariposa Belle. Child training. Birds and their calls. Conditions prevailing beâ€" tween China and Japan and suitable mention of Remembrance Day, No- vember 11. Sir \Valter Scott and the synopsis of one of his works, “Rob Roy" as a suitable book to show the great ability of this writer. (h) The Problems of the East and its bearing upon the rest of the world. (i) “The Christmas Spirit"â€" Seloction from Dickens’ Ch stmas Carol describ- ing Chi mas Day at Bob Cra c itt’s. 5. Musicâ€"vocal and instru- mental given at all the meetings, linth by mcmbers and non-mm"â€" (we. Commerce, travel, history, music, literature, peoples and customs, writers, composers have each and all received at- tention in the various areas, One branch had a paper on “How the members of the school board are chosen and their duties,” and also furnished a visiting tour of places of inter» est in Ottawa to entrance pupils in three schools. Oratory, plays and debates ha '9 been features of many pro- nmes, while studies of the due, customs and habits of dif- fcl-ent classes of people lent: a newer form of interest to both education and the people studied. A branch reports ii scucessful "drawing contest" but did not give the details of this feature, which would have added greatly to the value of reporting this item. Branches in both eastern and western areas as well as from contra sections continue to have representation at the O. E. A. Convention from which accept- able reports are presented to those interested. We (-uote from a report of one of the central area districts, ‘Knowledge of current events and foreign affairs has been in- CI'EE‘SE‘d hl' Programmes of edu- cational value at their monthly meetings. Scientific Temperance has received attention through the (41) (c) (f) lg) HOME and COUNTRY distribution of literature, talks and discussions." GGESTED EDUCATIONâ€"3U l ' DIVISIONAL HEADINGS I Education â€" suggested dwi- sional headings under which the subject may be made of interest and value. Literatureâ€" . (a) Books, magazines, news- papers, especially utiliza- tion of “Home and Coun- try... (b) Writers (at Libraries. Adult Educationâ€"â€" (a) Programmes. (b) Preparation of papers, addresses and reports. (c) Debates â€"â€"- public speak» ing. . (d) Exchange of experience. Music and Playsâ€" (a) Festivals. (b) Community concerts. (c) Instruction in schools. (d) Dramatic competitions. (e) Playsrlocally. Schoolsâ€" (a) Co-operation with teach» GTE. _ (b) Interest in meetings of section. (c) Assistance with equip- ment, or other needs. (d) Social contacts. Artâ€" (21) Artists. (b) Colours. (c) Pictures. AGRICULTURE Provincial Convener, Mrs. Jas. Deviney, Vernonville The Institutes are carrying on efiectively along Agricultural lines. The members are not downâ€"hearted, and a very fine spirit of courage and optimism prevails among our people, even though the returns from pro- duce are much too small for the labour expended, In due time the pendulum will swing back into prosperous times, (Re- read carefully the report on Agriculture as given in the Sep- tember, 1933 “Home and Colin- try"). Every Institute should boost Agriculture, cooperate With the Agricultural Representative in his work, encourage the girls in their canning clubs, the boys and girls in their garden plots, and stimulate interest in the coaching classes and School Fair. Emphasis has been placed on the need for producing the high- est quality produce, whether it be vegetables, :1 dairy cow or a hen, and we find that in many localities improvements have been made in the methnds of production and in farm stock. Economy has been exercised in growng much of seed required, selling the surplus products, also in grinding own flour for bread and in spinning and knit, ting. Have an Agricultural llay on the Institute programme some time during the year. An inâ€" teresting and instructive pro- gramme can be arrangedâ€"a roll call, an address or several short talks, and a demonstration. all dealing with some phase of agrir culture. One Institute reports a five minute talk at each meet- ing on one particular vegetable, as method of stressing the food value of garden products. An- other reports the growing of salad vegetables, followed by a salad contest. In one convention area, an Institute is reported as having given prizes to scholars who ex- hibited posters representing “Qnr Home Industry” at school fairs. Many Institutes have given splendid assistance to the school fairs. A debate at one meetin was "Resolved that conditiofis in farming communities were no more conductive to happiness now". . I Let us hear in mind the im- portance of “Dressing up our Canadian Homes". Many Inâ€" stitutes report thus, "One has only to take a drive through rural Ontaro to note the im- provements in surroundings of country homes just; the. past two years". It is gratifying to note what the Institutes of _0n- tario are doing along the lines of beautification. Exchange of bulbs, shrubs, plants, slips and seeds still continues, and Insti- tutes are providing seeds, bulbs and shrubs to make the school grounds attractive. Cemeteries are being cleared up. local hos- pital grounds cared for and waste places in Villages made to produce bright and colourful flowers instead of weeds. Also, nearly every Institute member is giving time and thought to beautifying the home surround- ings. It can well be said that the Women’s Institutes have done more than any other orâ€" ganization toward the beautifi- cation of our homes and country- side, but our job is far from being complete. We still urge â€"“Make Canada more beauti- ful". A little effort pays big dividends in beauty, contentment and good health. The man or woman who loves a garden and spends his or her spare time working in it are home-loving individuals. It is said that England has the cleanest crime record in the world: it is a country of beautiful gardens. The poorest workman has his little plot, a mass of blossoming flowers. Gardens have a marked effect on civic and national life. The patriotism, well-being and contentment of any people, ac cording to a writer of note, can be judged by the number of its gardens. Children who are brought up in homes where flowers are grown, where they are taught to help care and love them, do not usually go far astray. The influence of flowers in their lives is far-reaching. Some of the interesting farm topics which have been present- or] are: “What happens between the farmer’s field and the con- sumer’s table”, “Weed control and improvement of roadsides", “Sugar beet farming as an in- dustry", “Birds in relation to Agriculture", “Wheat growing and bread making”, “Planning of the perennial borderâ€"plant- ing and “are”. “The need of a garden and how to make same", "Gardening~a hobby", “The vegetable garden”, "Study of control of insects affecting vege- tables", “Flower gardens in England“, “Planting and star- lng bulbs", “Fire prevention”. Among the monthly roll calls have been found the following: “A treeâ€"habits of growth, time of lcafing and uses for its World". “An apple recipe", “our remedy for the present day agri- cultural depression”, “Name a product from your farm and [must it", “A vegetable and its uses". Demonstrations find a very frequent place on the pro- grammes and some given are: ‘Correct planting of bulbs, seeds and plants”, “Egg grading", "Canning of fruits, vegetables and meats”, “How to prepare wool for home use", “Dish gar- dening”, “Table bouquets" “Uses for skim milk", “Cuts of! meat", “Grafting”, "Preparing .(llahlla bulbs for planting” Braiding of corn husk mats”.I 'One Institute suggests the ad» visability of forming a beef Idf fulrther information is ~ ire, ease wri - stitute braiich. W the In Reports indicate that the study of our birds has been touched only here and there, and Wild flowers very little. September, 1934 them this year? Study “my, and means of attracting lh, feathered soagstera to our sin. roundinga. A programme "An afternoon with our Birds" might coverâ€"Ways to coax them a, frequent our home surrounding, Protection of our birds, Uu,‘ friends and foes among up birds, Types of bird houses and Winter food for birds. For [1,, roll call, each one gresent “light mime a species of irds with tie. scription. Part of _an afternoon's pm gramme might be given to a study of wild flowers and way-5 of conserving them, with, pd], haps, an exhibit of favourip wild flowers. SUGGESTED DIVISIONAL, HEADINGS l. Home Beautificationâ€" ]. Removal of debris and uh. sightly litter. 2. Repairing fences, lniilvl. ings, etc. 3. Cutting weeds. 4. Planting trees, flowers, shrubs, etc. 5. Lawns. 6. Paint. 2. Raising standard of pl'mlllcl, 1. Choice of seeds. 2. Selection of soil or galllvi plot. 3. Tested stock. 4. Care in housing, etc. 3 Utilization of Home Provlmls. 1. Plentiful use in home. 2. Sale of fresh products. 3. Canning surplus for hum: use and sale. 4. Marketing of Productsâ€" 1. Growing the best. 2. Attractive. 5. Exchangesâ€" 1. Shrubs, plants, cutt l vlgs, bulbs, seeds. LEGISLATION Provincial Convener, Miss lean Ross, Lucan, Ontario. Reports received from Convention Areas on Lflgl‘lll‘ tion show an interest in llll part of our work that is in will gratifying. There are all “T- ous requests from chairmel lll branch, district and eonvclllihh area for assistance, for as one so appealingly put it, “ht-l i [ll make even a beginning," re Lul- that many as yet left this old untouched, that many, in 1;an ning, need direction. So it is the purpose of viz. report to outline as simpl: :L V. possible the work that is lilng‘ done, with the hope llml bianehes not yet interested, may i be induced to make a begin‘wug. thatlhose, who have made . in» ginning, may be further In poi. The work of Legislation :l|~ naturally into two division» the educational and the pra: val The educational includes all did. would increase our knowledpc d Legislation, the practical, efiorts made to improve I lation or help in the admiiii I. ~ tion thereof. The educational repoited, include: 1. All papers on Legislaimn These are frequently prelml'vll by Institute members and u‘Ll- ally deal with laws of particular i intezest to women and children Often a lawyer is the s l l Sometimes the laws dist'll are of general interesb. A own her of parliament, a wardvii. fl reeve may speak on law-mulling. a banker on laws governing banking. Topics for the llast year included Legislation at Special Interest to Women. “I Age Pensions, Mothers' Allow- ance, Banking, Wills and Inheri- tance. . 2. Study of Law. MM“ branches read extracts from the “Legal Status of Women 1" efiort». as ssrll Canada" which book may b“ obtained free from the Dellfllt‘