REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE. 15 



aside from their regular activities and aided in special campaigns for 

 food conservation. Canning, drying, salting, and storing were em- 

 phasized in every State, and special stress was laid upon the im- 

 portance of using perishable products in such a way that the home 

 might support itself and make as little demand as possible on the 

 transportation facilities for supplies from other sections of the 

 country. Many demonstrations were given on methods of conserving 

 wheat, sugar, fats, and the like. Excessive use of butter, meats, and 

 sugars was discouraged and the use of substitutes was taught. 

 Definite conservation campaigns were undertaken through the daily 

 and weekly papers ; many women's clubs were organized for the sole 

 purpose of promoting home-economics extension work; community 

 kitchens and community drying plants were increased in number 

 and efficiency; many educational exhibits were made; and short 

 and intensive training courses were held in 10 agricultural colleges 

 for the preparation of emergency food agents and local volunteer 

 workers. 



The Department gave particular attention to problems of select- 

 ing and combining foods in such manner that the diet would be satis- 

 factory and adequate and at the same time the consumption of com- 

 modities in which there was a shortage would be reduced. Data 

 derived from experimental work on the rational and economical use 

 of foods were promptly made available. A simple method for ap- 

 plying the results of the food investigations in a practical way was 

 worked out and published. 



To enlist the women of the Nation in a food-saving campaign, 

 attention was called on March 3 to the fact that at least $700,000,000 

 worth of food was being wasted annually in the United States. Sub- 

 sequently, six separate appeals to the people to feed' themselves, to 

 watch kitchen waste, to prevent spoilage, and to conserve meat, milk, 

 butter, and bread were issued through the press. These were fol- 

 lowed by more than 65 simple circulars dealing with the effective use 

 of foods and with economical and nourishing diets. Special efforts 

 were made through press items to familiarize the Nation with the 

 use of such foods as corn, rice, soy beans, rye, various legumes, 

 cottage cheese, and skimmed milk. Many of the article^ thus pre- 

 pared were published as Food Thrift Series Nos. 1 to 5 and reached a 

 direct circulation of more than a million and a quarter. 



