Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-01-11
EXPERTS STUDY DIET
Department Specialists Supply lnfor-
nation Regarding Rational ano
Economical Use Of Foods.

To furnish exact data on which food
advice can be based and to supply in
formation regarding the rational and
economical use Of foods is the war
work of the Office of Home Economics
United States Department of Agricul-
ture. Special attention is paid by the
experts in this office to the problems
of the housekeeper in using food and
food combinations in such way that
the diet will be satisfactory and ade-
quate and yet effect a saving of the
foods which now need to be saved
Some phases of these Investigations
are brought out in a recent report of
this office to the Secretary of Agri-
culture.
Studies on the digestibility and uses
of culinary and table fats are one i'm
portant line Of work. Special atten-
ton is given to vegetable fats. such a.
nut oils and ruit-seed oils which are
little known or used, and which may be
properly called agricultural by
products, to determine whether they
are suited for use in the home for food
purposes Bulletins reporting these
experiments have been issued or are
DSIuS prepared LOT puDllcatlOn.
Use of Cereal Foods
Continuing the work on the digesti-
bility and uses of cereal foods, atten-
ton has been paid particularly to
wheat flour made by the old fashioned
milling process, and to the use of grain
sorghums-kafir feterita, milo maize
kaoliang-and buckwheat, as we'll as to
the influence of fineness of grinding
and of preparation on the food value Of
these and other grains. From the
work with milo and prose- the general
conclusion drawn by the specialists is
that while bread from these meals
would contribute to the protein of the
diet. the grains used We're decidedly
important as source of carbohy-
drates Studies Of home canning Of
animal and vegetable products. prep
aration Of food for the table-particu
larly the use of fruits and vegetables
dried by domestic methods-the eX-
tended use Of potatoes as a Starchy
food and the preparation of various
grains IN palatahle forms as substi-
tutes for wheat have been other tea
lures Of these Investigations. How
housewives can plan nationally chosen
economical meals has been suggested
by the home economics specialists in a
number of nontechnical Farmers Bull
letins. These have dealt with the
bodys needs. cereal foods, foods rich
in protein. There are also Farmers
Bulletins on food for young children
and on school lunches.
Cooperation with Other Departments
In carrying on its work the office Of
Home Economics works with other
bureaus and with other departments.
In cooperation with the Food Admins
tration and with the Bureau of Educa
ton Of the Department of the Interior,
10 lessons on food conservation were
prepared. One of the lessons dis
cussed the fundamentals of an ade-
quate diet. and the others deal with
food conservation problems. Othc.
cooperative work on food carried On
during the year included studies Of
emergency rations for the United
States Army and Navy and Of general
questions of rationing for the Reve-
nue. Cutter Service With the Bureau
Of Fisheries of the Department OF
Commerce studies We're made on the
preparation of fish for the table, its
digestibilty and its preservation by
domestic methods.
Other projects undertaken by this
office deal with investigations looking
to prolOnging the period OF usefulness
Of clothing and textiles, problems OF
cleaning and care of household equip
ment, and to studies OF househoi"
labor.