I02 Department of Home Economics. 



2. Some experiments with breads were made to determine the effect 

 of different temperatures for varying lengths of time on the bacterial 

 count in the interior of the loaf. 



3. Many experiments have been made during the year to test the 

 comparative efficiency, economy, and value of some of the new labor- 

 saving devices as compared with hand labor. Ironing machines were 

 tested against hand irons. Bread made by hand was compared with that 

 made in small and large bread-mixers. The broom was pitted against the 

 vacuum cleaner. 



4. Some investigations have been begun to determine the cost of home 

 products as compared with market products, as canned goods, bread, 

 and the like. This investigation is to include a consideration of time, 

 effort, fuel, aesthetic value, quality of product, margin of profit, and 

 other factors. This necessitates examination and analysis of a number 

 of samples, and under present limited equipment will progress slowly. 



extension. 



The extension work in Home Economics for the year has been given 



on the following lines : 



1. Publication and distribution of bulletins. 



2. Correspondence course with 15,717 members. 



3. Organization of new clubs and work with new clubs. 



4. Visits to farmers' and farmers' wives" clubs, granges, institutes, and 

 other educational organizations. 



5. The program of the Housekeepers' Conference held during Farmers' 

 Week. 



6. The Winter Course in Home Economics. 



The Reading Course has not been allowed to increase as largely in 

 membership as could easily be accomplished if more bulletins were avail- 

 able for distribution. However, the natural unurged increase in numbers 

 has been steady and promising. The placing of domestic topics on a 

 scientific basis in the home is fast gaining ground if we may judge from 

 the constant calls for literature during the year and from the very 

 numerous and varied questions sent to the department to be answered. 

 The membership in the Reading Course for Farmers' Wives at the end 

 of this year is 15,717. 



Rural reading clubs have been organized in various parts of the State 

 with a membership per club varying from twelve to one hundred and fifty. 

 Meetings are held monthly or bi-monthly through the winter months, 

 with a program partly based on the bulletins of the Farmers' Wives' 

 Reading Course. In some of these clubs programs are conducted with 



