4 EXPEEIMENT STATION RECOED. 



tions. Comparisons of different illuminants and fuels, and studies 

 of sewage disposal plants and of building materials, may be cited 

 as types of the work already undertaken. 



It is well known that the Department of Agriculture has made a 

 large number of contributions, the activities of nearly every bureau 

 containing much of interest. The intimate connection of much of 

 the work of the Bureau of Chemistry, the Bureau of Animal Indus- 

 try, and the Bureau of Plant Industry is obvious, but there may 

 also be mentioned the studies of household insects in the Bureau of 

 Entomology, the utilization of woods by the Forest Service, some of 

 the economic studies of the Bureau of Statistics, and a stud}^ in the 

 relation of high altitude to cookery reported by the Weather Bureau. 

 The nutrition investigations of this Office are, of course, accepted as 

 fundamental by home economics educators, and the publications 

 issued as part of the work are widely utilized as texts. 



The contributions of home economics workers themselves have 

 been numerous and meritorious, especially in view of the comparative 

 newness of the subject and the lack of organized research agencies. 

 The attention which is being concentrated on the preparation of re- 

 search workers is jaelding results of much promise, and the list of 

 additions to knowledge in the form of theses for advanced degrees 

 is each year becoming more impressive. 



Contributions from the more mature workers actively engaged in 

 instruction duties are even yet relatively few. This of course is un- 

 fortunate, since their qualifications and experience would seem to 

 promise results of exceptional value. It is not, however, particularly 

 surprising, for as was recently pointed out, "under present condi- 

 tions, the task of the college teacher of home economics is a very 

 difficult and complicated one. By study and research she must assem- 

 ble and enlarge a new bod}^ of knowledge and give it pedagogical 

 form. She must prepare manuals, text-books, apparatus, and illus- 

 trative material in this new subject. . . . Besides giving sound and 

 thorough instruction to her college students, she must do a large 

 amount of propaganda work to secure the general recognition of 

 liome economics in the elementary and secondary schools, and all 

 she can of that broader extension work by which the multitudes of 

 untrained women in the homes are to be encouraged and inspired." 



Notwithstanding these difficulties, to which miay be added those 

 imposed by an absence of funds for research and often of equipment, 

 the uncertainties as to the publication of results, and the lack of 

 many other advantages enjoyed by a regularl}?^ organized research 

 institution, it is believed that there are many opportunities for 

 adding to the store of Iniowledge by the use of existing facilities. 

 If home economics embodies, as has been stated, " the utilization of 



