Modern Conditions.—The invention of modern labor-saving devices, and the resulting division of labor and of the arts and crafts into many differ ent branches, has, to a large extent, taken these processes out of the or dinary home. Even in rural districts the increase in population and the improved means of transportation have produced the same change. Thus it is the exception rather than the rule for a farmer to mend his own harness or to half-sole his own boots, to make repairs on his prem ises, to paint and varnish—or in some cases even to whitewash. All these different tasks are let out to persons who do them by the day or hour at prices that would formerly have been prohibitory. The argument that the farmer himself makes more money than he did formerly, that his time is therefore more valuable, and that it is cheaper for him to have work done by others than to do it himself, is sometimes put forth as though it were unanswerable. Whether or not it is cheaper in dollars and cents to neglect the family workroom and hire everything done, the saving of money will be dearly won if it re sults in the making of cheap men. And the most thoughtful students of present-day conditions fear that this is the present The minds of children are turned over to the common schools, their morals to the Sunday schools, and their hands and fingers are neglected altogether ex cept for what they learn in play. This is a convenient arrangement, and obviously at the moment saves time and trouble for the parents; but it offers little assurance of the devel opment of a sort of manhood and womanhood in the children that will not in time to come be a source of much more serious trouble.
Give the Children a Chance.—The tendency to simplify farm work by hiring everything done that can be done instead of doing the work at home, and to simplify housework by the purchase of patent washing and cleaning preparations, the employ ment of laundresses, dressmakers, and the like, should be resisted by all intelligent persons on account of the educational benefit to the children of doing such work in the home. The example is something in itself, but it is even more important to give the children an opportunity to lend a hand in the actual work, and to ac quire the skill and ability to perform the necessary household processes for themselves. Farm work and house work are regarded more and more in the light of drudgery in proportion as they become simplified, since sim plicity leads to routine and monot ony. To diversify the work of the house and of the farm is the first step in the direction of increasing its educational benefits to the rising generation, and this diversity can and should be brought to a focus in the family workshop.
Equipment of the Workroom.— Hence set apart, if possible, a clean, tight, and dry wood shed or other outhouse, a part of the attic, or some room of the house that will not be required for other purposes, or a well-lighted corner of the cellar if it is dry, well ventilated, and has a ce ment or other hard, tight bottom.
Purchase, if possible, a good car penter's bench with a wood vise and also an iron vise and other conveni ences. Or, better still, visit a cabi netmaker's or carpenter's shop in the vicinity and obtain permission to make a sketch, with measurements, of his workbench. Purchase the neces sary lumber and build a similar bench for yourself.
If you buy a chest of tools, be sure to purchase good ones. It is much better to buy a small collection of first quality than a large number of inferior make. Or buy a hammer, saw, brace and bits, screw-driver, and such other common tools as are abso lutely necessary — each of the best quality that can be obtained—and add to these from time to time as special work is to be done that you know, if done by others and paid for, would cost more than the tools neces sary to do it for yourself. Thus in time a collection will be made of really valuable tools that with proper care will never need to be replaced.
Arrangement and Care of Tools.— It is quite customary to buy tools in a chest or cabinet or to make such a receptacle in which to store them. But it is more convenient, if the workshop is dry and its contents are not likely to be distributed, to ar range the tools on the wall behind the workbench on a series of nails or hooks so adjusted that each article will be most convenient to the hand. Then paint the outlines of the va rious tools on the surface of the wall. Thus it is obvious at a glance just where each tool belongs, and whether or not the one desired is in its place. Tools that are not in frequent use can be protected from rust by a coating of collodion dissolved in ether or alcohol. This can be kept at hand in a small, tightly corked vial. Or other substances can be used that are recommended elsewhere in this volume. Saws and other tools having cutting edges that are used more frequently can be rubbed with a few drops of machine oil before being returned to their places, as this is not likely to evaporate before they are next used.
The mere presence of a carpenter's bench and necessary tools will sug gest the advisability of building clos ets and cupboards containing drawers, racks, trays, and other conveniences in which to keep hardware, adhe sives, paint and varnish, and the miscellaneous implements and mate rials required for all sorts of house hold use.
Dry articles can be kept in empty boxes that have contained oatmeal or other cereals; nails and screws and the like, in empty baking-powder or other tins. A collection of pint, quart, and two-quart glass fruit jars, with patent stoppers and tight rub ber rings to prevent evaporation, will be found most convenient receptacles for paints, varnishes, and other liq uids. All such receptacles can • be labeled and arranged in orderly fash ion. Thus habits of neatness, order, and system can be instilled in the minds of children, and the peace and happiness of the household be spared from the annoyance of unnecessary search for this or that.