144 THE ZEMSTVOS DURING THE WAR 
tions. The estimates were usually worked out so that one-third of 
the expenses should be covered by subsidies from the Romanov Com- 
mittee and two-thirds by the provincial and district zemstvos, the 
Zemstvo Union, and by charitable organizations both national and 
local. 
The zemstvos endeavored to establish these colonies in the neigh- 
borhood of the zemstvo hospitals and schools, so as to secure for the 
children medical aid as well as elementary education. The size of the 
establishments and the cost of maintenance varied greatly. Thus, 
the Eupatoria district zemstvo in the province of Taurida intended 
to establish a colony for three hundred orphans between the ages of 
two and seventeen, involving an initial expenditure of 45,000 rubles 
and an annual charge for upkeep of 14,000 rubles. More often, how- 
ever, we find plans for establishments for only forty to sixty in- 
mates, In which case it is found desirable and perhaps sufficient to 
organize four or five such institutions in each district. While it was 
not found possible everywhere to carry out this program on the 
scale originally contemplated, many of the district zemstvos, never- 
theless, were able to set up such institutions. | 
In this connection we must note also the revival of an idea which 
had, apparently, been abandoned, after having enjoyed at one time 
a great deal of popularity—the idea of organizing zemstvo day 
nurseries in villages during the height of the harvest season. Origi- 
nally, these nurseries were intended to serve purposes of public 
health and prevent village fires by looking after the children whose 
mothers were busy in the fields. The necessity of employing female 
labor during the War in the absence of men brought this idea again 
to the fore. The peasants had previously looked askance upon such 
enterprises, but now the idea of establishing nurseries of this kind 
often originated with the peasants themselves. as well as with the co- 
pperative associations. 
As a rule, these nurseries were established in the zemstvo school 
ouildings standing vacant during the summer months. Usually, they 
were open only in the daytime and maintained for a period of one 
or two months. Admission was granted to the children of soldiers, 
ranging from infants to children of five and even seven years. The 
mothers who were receiving a separation allowance were to provide 
a specified quantity of milk and food. Special funds were also sup- 
plied by the zemstvos for improving the feeding of the children