Pennsylvania School of Horticulture for Women - Wise Acres Yearbook (Ambler, PA)

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pimtim as farmers anb (Sarbetters It is a fact that women have been farmers just as long as farming has been a way of earning a living. Frequently this has been so by reason of birth or circumstance, for the peasant women toiling in the fields across the water, and the women of our own country who are farming because they have been left farms and nothing else with which to fight their economic battles. They are both submitting to the same master—necessity. It is not a new occupation which we have before us, but a new factor entering in—that of choice. The question then is in regard to the possibilities opening for the woman who chooses to enter some line of agricultural work, and we take for granted at the outset that she has a choice, not necessarily to earn her bread and butter living, but that she may do her share in the world’s work, for failure to choose may result in disappointment, restlessness, and even unhappiness. In entering any vocational field we need to inquire particularly into three things: First, does it appeal to my tastes? Secondly: Does it fit my capabilities? Thirdly: What are the business openings? Is the field already crowded? In considering the first of these questions there is the strictly personal element of taste to be taken into account, for, strange as it may seem to some people, the mere fact of being a woman does not invariably indicate an actual overpowering desire for indoor occupation. Very often, however, the attractions of any occupation are more or less visionary. After making inquiry and placing confidence in the testimony given, the answer to the question as to the advisability of women engaging in agricultural or horticultural work is without fail one that holds out encouragement to the new worker. The vocation is attractive because of the healthful conditions of the work. Many can testify to the efficiency of the out-of-door work to secure the blessings of abundant health. Secondly the question of ability in the work. The fact that agricultural interests are so varied makes it possible that they may fit the ability of any woman seeking agricultural or horticultural training. We hear of cases where women have actually performed every act of manual labor on the farm, but that is not an absolute requirement. Many men who possess little mechanical skill are successful manufacturers. But there is the necessity for having an intelligent understanding of the work done. The lack of physical strength must stimulate the use of the brain and, if ever the point is reached where physical strength is considered more of an asset than a trained mind, then no longer can we consider agriculture a worthy profession. Many men if they suddenly should become physically incapacitated and be obliged to sit at a desk, would become better farmers. 3

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WISE - ACRES Vol. iv November, 1917. No. 15 Published Quarterly by the Students of the School of Horticulture for Women, Ambler, Pa. Entered at the Ambler Post Office as Second-Class Matter staff Editor-in-Chief, Beatrice George Associate Editor, Helen Belda Exchange Editor, Eleanor Gebhart Business Manager, Beatrice L. Williams Associate Business Manager, Elsie Schedin Advertising Editor, Ruth A. Gerhard Associate Advertising Editor, Marion Meredith Secretary, Ruth A. Gerhard One Dollar a Year Single Copy, Twenty-fire Cents EDITORIAL. “Here is the law of progress, which will explain all diversities, all advances, all halts, and retrogressions. Men tend to progress just as they come closer together, and by co-operation with each other increase the mental power that may be devoted to improvement, but just as conflict is provoked, or association develops inequality of condition and power, this tendency to progression is lessened, checked, and finally reversed ' So wrote a famous political economist tracing the tendency of civilization through the annals of history. We are discovering more and more how true this is, for through this national emergency we are being brought closer together to strengthen and support one another. Horticulture is a comparatively new profession for women—so new that each pioneer's success is of great importance. Our strength lies in our unity—the experience of one helping to guide the others. The greater part of our efforts as long as the war lasts will of necessity be in the production of food, but we will not neglect the aesthetic side, for that is just as important. In anxious times men and women need all the beauty with which they can surround themselves. Trees and flowers encourage and inspire one in a language of their own. These days are serious ones, making great demands on all. To meet these demands and to avoid any waste of energy, work has to be correlated—service has to fit into service—any minor differences being overlooked for the general good. These are times when all must be inspired by unselfish motives or else fall short of the thousands of examples of sacrifice and courage on every hand. We all have great opportunities before ns to prove our worth and must carry on our share of the burden. Service for service is the rule of life! 2

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Then, there is the labor problem. It is a question whether the mere fact of being a woman adds to the difficulties of handling the labor situation. But we can only judge from the comments made by real women, and in nearly every case the report has been “no difficulty.” Personally, I have found that those whom I have employed have been very willing, agreeable, and eager to do anything I wished. A woman has the advantage in the marketing of products. She is to a large extent the ultimate buyer of the farmer's products and learns what makes a product attractive to the purchaser. It is by this method of attraction upon the market problem that she may gain great headway in her success. As for the business openings the possibilties are so numerous that it makes one feel that the vocational field is practically untouched. There are at least twenty different fields open and a steady demand for trained women in the work. In conclusion can we say that the profession for women is a failure? No, on the contrary, after hearing the testimony of real and active women, we do not hesitate to say that the appeal is strong. It offers wholesome living, many activities, opportunities for a combination of social service and chosen work in which to realize those blessings of “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” P. B. CO-OPERATION. Co-operation has a strong, helpful message for the farmer, not only in the selling of his products but in the cost of producing them. This system of business was adopted many years ago by the people of England and was carried forward by them until it attained marvelous proportions and accomplished good, far beyond what was thought possible at the start. It is now returning to them each year millions of dollars in value in the shape of dividends on their purchases. Before the war England’s great Co-operative Wholesale Society bought over $7,500,000 worth of foodstaples yearly, from the United States. In this country of big production there is a-crying need for the organization of the farmers. A step forward in the right direction was made by the State of New York in 1913 in passing one of the best co-operative association laws in the United States. Indeed it is true that the farmer will not receive what he so fully deserves—a fairer return for the food he produces—until he forms his own co-operative association, with selling agencies in all the large cities and towns.— From an article by Mr. Isaac Roberts. 4