Evening Republican, Volume 22, Number 112, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 May 1919 — MOTHER-DAUGHTER CLUBS IN CANNING PROVE ATTRACTIVE AND SUCCESSFUL [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

MOTHER-DAUGHTER CLUBS IN CANNING PROVE ATTRACTIVE AND SUCCESSFUL

(Prepared by the United States Department of Agriculture.) In many sections, both North and South, the mother-daughter clubs organized by the United States department of agriculture and the state agricultural colleges are more popular than organizations in which the women and girls work separately. It’s a difficult task to stir up much enthusiasm In children when their parents are not Interested in the proposed work. Few children succeed in a project about which the father and mother are indifferent. and that is one reason why the partnership type of club has proved such'a success, Four years ago Kansas had a membership of 82 doing mother-daughter work. In 1918, 4,365 women and girls in the state were engaged in this branch of club activity. Kansas Club Heads List. The Glenwood Mother-Daughter club in Wyandotte county, Kansas, which started four years ago, is perhaps the best known club of any kind in the state, and has won first state honors tor three successive years. In 1916, in a club contest where 33 northern and western states competed, this club took first prize. The change in the social conditions of the community has. come about as a result of the'Glenwood club’s efforts has been even more remarkable than the canning records. One of the farmers in this community who was discouraged with farming advertised his farm for sale. A few months after the organization of the mother-daughter club the real estate man found a buyer who offered this farmer his price. But things had changed, and Mr. Would-Be-City Dweller replied : “Myfarm is hot for sale now. My family is interested in this motherdaughter club business, and there would be serious trouble In the family if I should try to sell but and leave this community.” He did not sell and he has not since advertised his farm for sale, for living in.the country is popular in Wyandotte county these davs. . • < The club started with the motto: “Let’s do something big; let’s all make this canning club the best known in Kansas,” and it has lived up to It. Twenty-two composed the membership the first year. In 1918, 74 girls and women in the Glenwood community belonged to the organization. Nineteen hundred seventeen was the banner year as far as quantity of products canned is concerned. The 68 members put up 11,545 quarts of fruits, meats, vegetables and soups. The output last

year would have exceeded that of 1917 but for the draft. Even with the gardens a failure from lack of rain, the Glenwood club put up 9,220 quarts of food products with a total valuation of $4,459.22. Club Insures Reforms. The most noteworthy achievements of the club, however, are the changes that have taken place In the community at large. Before the club was started, people living in that vicinity were wont- to remark regarding any proposed public meeting: “No use; you can’t get anybody out.” Within the short period of one year everybody began to respond to a notice of a .club meeting, and the question was: "Where are you going to put them all?” The country farm bureau four years ago had only one representative in the Glenwood community. Now practically every home represented in the club Is represented in the farm bureau. The different teams meet regularly to hear demons!rations on canning, worth-while addresses relating to homemaking interests, and to enjoy social good times. Picnics are held and club meetings have become the big events in the community. In fact, social conditions there have changed completely. The country church was falling into decay four years ago. Now It is full of vigorous life and has a well-paid minister with a burning desire to make country life better in his community. The four or five schools in the community which, previous to the club’s organization, had been inadequately equipped and taught, ranked last year among the best in the country, with the highest paid teachers and the best buildings. The methods of teaching domestic science in the schools have been improved as a result of the clubs influence. A prominent feature of the club work has been the exchange of farm products. The family which has a surplus of green corn exchanges perhaps with the one which has an abundance of cherries or beans. In this way every home is supplied with the products It needs. Choice recipes are also exchanged among the members. Girls in mother-daughter clubs become much interested in home life, and in learning to do the homely arts in a better way. The wholesome contest in the work has taken much of the drudgery out of home canning, and the whole family enjoys the products. The Interests of the community are tied together by such a club and its members learn to know and appreciate each other better. .

Mother and Daughter in Partnership.