STATES RELATIONS SERVICE. 355 



reforesting of hill and other waste land, and the use of cordwood on 

 the farm in order to increase the use of wood as fuel and to lessen 

 the necessary transportation of coal. 



Upon the declaration of the existence of a state of war the efforts 

 of each specialist were turned toward food-production and conserva- 

 tion methods. The crop specialist centered his attention upon demon- 

 strations which not only improve soils and help to establish profital)le 

 rotations but promote the economical production of home-raised feeds, 

 especially in the dairy districts ; the horticultural specialist sought to 

 increase the yield of vegetables as well as to increase planting by 

 preparing gardening bulletins for boys' and girls' club work. The 

 animal husbandry specialists assisted the State leaders of boys' and 

 girls' clubs in the formation of pig clubs, baby-beef clubs, and poultry 

 clubs, and in disseminating information concerning egg production, 

 grainless poultry rations, etc. 



Through the cooperative efforts of the Forest Service and the 

 States Relations Service a project was approved whereby the forest 

 rangers may serve to a limited extent as the agricultural agents repre- 

 senting the State agricultural colleges in promoting agriculture on 

 the National Forests. About the close of the fiscal year the forestry- 

 extension specialist was temporarily transferred to the county-agent 

 section to assist with the emergency organization for greater food 

 production and conservation. 



The work of these specialists in carrying the department's infor- 

 mation along subject-matter lines to the various extension divisions 

 of the States for transmittal to the man on the farm and also in 

 studying and carrying from State to State knowledge of the most 

 efficient organization and practices in extension work along each 

 line is proving especially helpful as a connecting link between the 

 research workers of the Federal department and the extension 

 divisions of the States. 



OFFICE OF HOME ECONOMICS. 



C. F. Langworthy, Chief. 

 R. D. MiLNER, Assistant Chief. 



The work of the Office of Home Economics as originally planned 

 for the year was greatly modified owing to the war situation, espe- 

 cially for the purpose of furnishing exact data on which food discus- 

 sions can be based and information regarding the rational and eco- 

 nomical use of foods, this being a part of the general plan to insure 

 the most efficient use of our food resources for the benefit of the 

 United States and the Allies. Special attention was paid to the house- 

 keeper's problems, with a view to showing her how foods and food 

 combinations can be used in such a way that the diet will be satisfac- 

 tory and adequate and yet effect a saving of various commodities 

 especially needed for war purposes. 



Studies on the digestibility and uses of culinary and table fats 

 were continued, special attention being given to vegetable fats, such 

 as nut oils and fruit-seed oils, which are little known or used, and 



