HOME SCIENCE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20569, 21 May 1930, Page 17

HOME SCIENCE.

AN OXFORD VENTURE. Tho modern woman, realising her own shortcomings in so far as domestic w T orl< is concerned, and finding difficulty still in obtaining and keeping a maid, has come to realise that the lack of one generation must be prevented in the next, states a London writer. So domestic training has been revolutionised. I lei grandmother was content with cooking by rule of thumb, sho herself was taught to value her intellect, and led to suppose that it had nothing to do with tho kitchen. Her children must be taught young. They must have domestic work reduced to a science, if it is to engage their interest.

Headmistresses, if thcv are progressive, iiavo stepped in to equip the wives and mothers of the future. Oxford is particularly fortunato in the scheme of domestic science training at the Girls' Central School. A room has been skilfully converted. It contains sinks, a boiler, gas stoves, a kitchen range, and a large iron heater made from a converted sewing machine. There are well-furnished dressers, rolling boards, and a tiled larder near by. This domestic science room is a hive of industry. Even the 11-vear-olds take tho dishes they have made to tho gas oven. There nro pots and pans to clean and put away, tho brass to be polished, and the tables to be laid for lunch. Food values are explained at progressive schools, and hints on marketing given. Tho foods aro tested in the science room. For tho modern tendency js to correlate all subjects, so that tho inter est is sustained and increased. School work becomes an experiment and not the acquirement of specific facts. Geography is also related to domestic science, and the places of production arc learned. The girls aro taught to choose a house or "flat, and know how to take into account the aspect, drainage, ventilation and all other essentials. In tho art-room they experiment with their own designs for decorating tho curtains, or for embroidery. And modern schoolgirls know how to mend as well as make. They learn how to study tho health, comfort and happiness of tho household, while a love of cleanliness is inculcated Discussions on suitablo colour schemes for the home aro greatly enjoyed, and tho girls revel in making out price-lists for tho outfit of a well-equipped kitchen. But a woman might set up housekcep ing with all these qualifications, and yet have one missing. She might not know how to spend hei money aright. This is taught the schoolgirl, who learns how to make tho best use of the weekly wage with the usual allotment for rent, heating, light and food