General News
9 September, 2025
THE FARMER’S WIFE: A life of selflessness and devotion
It’s hard to imagine how in the past farmer’s wives were able to overcome the hardships of isolation and primitive resources.
Although their husbands were hard working and resourceful, they were not involved in the domestic duties.
The reality was that before the arrival of electrification, reticulated water supply, sewerage and all the apparatus to implement it, life was tough.
Most families were large by today’s standards.
Childbirth was a dangerous situation as most children were delivered at home.
Generally a nearby neighbour would be enlisted to assist with the delivery.
The mortality rate was quite high compared to the present.
The caring for children was a major task catering for a variety of ages from infants to adolescents.
You couldn’t pop into the supermarket and pick up what you wanted or get a home delivery.
Bathing was a task with hot water not at hand and in limited supply. Having a bath was once a week — most had a “lick and a promise”, and deodorants were unheard of.
There was no luxuriating under the hot shower for a lengthy period.
A cake of rough home made soap made from animal fat and caustic soda, usually scented with lavender oil, was used to wash the body and hair.
The main medication was a dose of castor oil, cod liver oil or a spoonful of hypol before bed.
Scratches, cuts and abrasions were dabbed with iodine (which really stung). Copious amounts of mercurochrome was applied.
Fashionable clothing wasn’t a concern as most had a limited wardrobe.
Shoes were mended and clothing was patched. Boots and gumboots were popular.
Hair was usually cut at home — short back and sides being the order of the day. Basin cuts were unpopular but unavoidable. The prevalence of head lice was a common concern.
The most enterprising had a regular supply of eggs and poultry and of course lamb and mutton.
A good vegetable garden was essential.
Soups and stews were always in the pot.
High-tin loaves were baked in the oven.
Often the farmer’s wife and children were without the father who may have been droving or out of town working.
This put additional strain on the wife.
Playing board games, reading and listening to the radio were the pre-bed activities. Hopefully the children were tucked up in bed before seven.
Once the children were fast asleep, Mum’s day wasn’t over.
The wood stove had to be fired up to remain alight all night. Hopefully the children have loaded the wood basket.
The kerosene lamp flickered casting eerie shadows on the walls.
With the absence of any appliances (ie a refrigerator, a dishwasher, etc), everything had to be done by hand.
All the washing had to be gathered up and soaked in the stone troughs ready for the next day.
A quick glance in the mirror gave her a mild shock as the image she saw was evidence of a long, hard day.
Sitting in front of the mirror she applied some “cold cream” to her face.
The boiling kettle motivated her to cut a slice of fruit cake and make a pot of tea.
Sitting at the table she sipped the warm tea. Her faithful cat called Moses brushed up against her legs fondly as she saw the end of another day.
Mornings were mayhem! Lunches had to be cut, shoes polished, breakfast prepared (usually porridge and toast). The toast was browned in front of the open fire.
A trek to the main road for the bus to the nearest secondary school or a bike ride to the local school.
After-school chores had to be done — gathering chicken eggs, cutting and stacking firewood, bringing in the washing and setting the table.
Dinner was devoured, followed by dressing for bed.
After a noisy period the children settled down and peace descended on the farm house.