As in the colonies of New England, so here, the comforts of the family depended upon the thrift, energy, and thoughtfulness of the women. Practically every article of clothing worn by the entire family, as well as all household supplies, were the work of their busy hands. All day in the frontier cabin could be heard the hum of the spinning wheel, the clack of the loom, or the click of knitting needles. In many localities the added work of teaching the children fell to the mothers, and the home lessons given around the fireplace, heaped with glowing logs, were the only ones possible for many boys and girls. It is of particular interest to note how often learning and housekeeping went hand in hand in the first homes of this new country. The few lines following are extracts from the diary of a busy Indiana housewife of the period preceding the Mexican War, and show how fully occupied was the time of the pioneer woman: "November 10th. To-day was cider-making day, and all were up at sunrise." "December 1st. We killed a beef to-day, the neighbours helping." [Illustration: CONVENTIONAL ROSE A very striking pattern, made in Indiana about 75 years ago. Colours: red, pink, and green] [Illustration: CONVENTIONAL ROSE WREATH This "Wreath of Roses" design has been in use for over 100 years. Colours: red, green, pink, and yellow] "December 4th. I was much engaged in trying out my tallow. To-day I dipped candles and finished the 'Vicar of Wakefield.'" "December 8th. To-day I commenced to read the 'Life of Washington,' and I borrowed a singing book. Have been trying to make a bonnet. The cotton we raised served a very good purpose for candle-wicking when spun." In the Middle West, without friendly cooperation, the lot of the pioneer would have been much more difficult than it was. Julia Henderson Levering tells of the prevalence of this kindly custom in her interesting "Historic Indiana": "The social pleasures of the earliest days were largely connected with the helpful neighbourhood assistance in the homely, necessary tasks of the frontier. If a new cabin was to be built, the neighbours assembled for the house raising, for the logs were too heavy to be handled alone. When a clearing was made, the log rolling followed. All men for miles around came to help, and the women to help cook and serve the bountiful meals. Then there were corn huskings, wool shearings, apple parings, sugar boilings, and quilting bees."