74 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



THE HOUSEHOLD SCIENCE DEPARTMENT. 



A few changes have been made in the course of study and in the man- 

 ner of presenting the work this year. The freshman food work was moved 

 from the fall to the spring term, so that the young women might get some 

 training in chemistry before undertaking this study. We are well 

 pleased with the way this plan has worked out. 



The work in Problem Cookery has increased in interest and popularity. 

 Our research laboratoiy is proving all too small to meet the demands of 

 the students and the women of the State who are interested in having 

 this work done. 



A mechanical household device laboratory was opened in the basement 

 of the Woman's Building at the beginning of the fall term 1019. The 

 equipment of this room consists of washing machines of various types, 

 clothes dryers, all sorts of irons, ironing boards, vacuum cleaners, and 

 other devices for cleaning; water heaters, tireless cookers, oil stoves, 

 cooking utensils, kitchen cabinets, work tables, etc. The greater part 

 of the equipment has been donated outright by commercial firms, or 

 has been loaned on long time contract. 



We have found this laboratory invaluable in the teaching of House- 

 hold Management, and hope that we may have space and money to 

 develop it further in the near future. This laboratory equipment was 

 included in the exhibit during Farmers' Week, and both men and women 

 seemed very much interested in it. 



An elective course in Advanced Nutrition lias been added. Forty- 

 one seniors elected this course this year and di<l splendid work. 



It is our hope during the coming year to make more practical appli- 

 cation of our work in food and nutrition. This we plan to do by start- 

 ing a nutrition clinic for mothers and children in connection with the 

 Associated Charities in Lansing. Miss May Person who has just been 

 appointed Assistant Professor in Household Science, has had consider- 

 able experience in this work. She ran a nutrition clinic at the Henry 

 Street Settlement House in New York City under the direction of Mrs. 

 Mary Swartz Kose. 



Our graduates are being called upon to help Avith this work in other 

 cities, and we are desirous of giving them more specific and helpful 

 training here.- It will not only add to their technical training, but will 

 help in developing their spirit of social service. 



It has been the aim of the division during the past five years to give 

 the young women a more careful and thorough technical foundation 

 for their work, both along the lines of science and art. 



We wish to express our gratitude especially to the Departments of 

 Chemistry, Bacteriology, Biologj^, Phj'siolog;^^ Drawing, Mathematics 

 and Phj'sics for the kindly cooperation and splendid assistance which 

 they have given us. Tlie training of the young women in Englisli, econ- 

 omics and history has been done equally well. 



During the past two years the work along the lines of Education and 

 Practice Teaching has been considerably developed. The success of this 

 work is due to the thorougli and enthusiastic work of Miss Elizabeth 



