Henry F. P——.

For week ending , 19...

Sun.Mon.Tues.Wed.Thur.Fri.Sat.
———————
Min.Min.Min.Min.Min.Min.Min.Total
1.Work in garden..................1010
2.Splitting kindlings1015101020101085
3.Bringing in fuel555510151560
4.Milking cow........................
5.Care of horses20...............1030
6.Preparing meals........................
7.Washing dishes........................
8.Sweeping........................
9.Dusting........................
10.Bedroom work.. ......................
11.Washing........................
12.Ironing........................
13.Care of baby........................
Feeding chickens105101015101070
Feeding rabbits105152015101085
A.Bathingxxxxxxx...
B.Brushing teeth2222222...
C.Sleeping with open windowsxxxxxxx
D.Going to bed before 9 o'clock........................
E.Attending Church or Sunday School........................
————————————————
Total.....................340

I certify that the above is a correct record.

Flora H. P——
Signature of Parent or Guardian.

We find many instances, like the following, where boys who at first had nothing to do, seemingly, but to get in the fuel, have begun to assist their mothers with the dishwashing, dusting, and cooking. Not only does this work run up their list of credits at school, but it causes them to appreciate what mother has to do, gets them acquainted with their homes, and keeps them off the streets.

And it has other uses for a boy. Henry Turner Bailey says:—

Away from home, as a lonely art student and young teacher in strange and home-sickening boarding houses, maybe I wasn't thankful to be able to sweep and dust, to wash and iron and cook, upon occasion, to sew on buttons, to darn, and to mend. But perhaps my keenest satisfaction came from my ability to make a bed. The boarding-house madonnas are not, as a rule, highly skilled in that gentle art.

In view of my personal experiences I have often wondered why the advocates of Domestic Science are not more strongly co-educational. What is sauce for the goose seems to me worthy to be sauce for the gander,—certainly during the gosling stage. Every boy should know how to sew, just as every girl should know how to whittle. Every boy should know how to cook, just as every girl should know how to swim. Skill in the elemental arts is a form of what Henderson calls human wealth. All should participate.[5]