HOME DEMONSTRATION WORK
It is certainly very gratifying to note that a large number of negro women and girls are doing excellent home demonstration work. When it is remembered that they have to help a great deal in cotton, tobacco, and other fields, there is unusual significance in the fact that they are willing and anxious to take part in the special activities which make for better living and better homes. In 1924, 21,509 women and 27,114 girls were enrolled in the various activities which pertain definitely to the improvement of the home.
It is interesting, also, to compare the figures on home gardens with those on food preservation and preparation. There seems to be a logical sequence here. During the year, 12,355 women and 14,641 girls were enrolled in home gardening; 13,911 women and 13,826 girls, in food preservation; and 14,731 women and 16,537 girls, in food preparation. As a rule, the work begins with garden demonstrations, so it would seem that the interest increases as the work progresses. It should be remembered also that women and girls did most of the work with poultry. The proportion of members completing these demonstrations and the number of method demonstrations necessary for instruction were about the same as the averages of agents in other parts of the country and in other lines of work.
Gardening work is begun with the most staple and standard crops and soon leads to winter and perennial gardens and the growing of small fruits. Wherever home ownership obtains, the garden demonstrations are followed by orchard and lawn demonstrations. Fruit trees suitable to climatic and soil conditions are planted around the homes, and such activities always approach their climax in beautified front yards and lawns.
The number of dwellings constructed and remodeled under the guidance of negro women agents and the number of club members demonstrating the beautification of home grounds indicate clearly the progress of negro home demonstration work. Such activities show that other steps have been taken before the family is ready to build. They show, also, that a great deal of interest has been aroused and that the earning power of the people must have been increased to make such improvements possible. In 1924, 569 houses were built in accordance with plans furnished by negro extension agents and 1,002 houses were remodeled in accordance with the suggestions made by them. The fact that so much work was done to make homes attractive indicates that demonstrators are anxious to make improvements. This point is still further emphasized by the number of members who were enrolled in demonstrations in the beautification of home grounds. A total of 6,433 women and 6,427 girls took up this important enterprise; in 1,336 homes the grounds were laid out according to a definite landscape plan; and 335 school and community grounds were planted according to plans.
Paint and whitewash are good indexes of improvement and prosperity. Demonstrations of this nature exert a fine influence from the standpoint of morals and civilization. In 1924, 2,259 dwellings were painted or whitewashed as the result of extension influence. Many of the dwellings which were built or remodeled installed running water and lighting and heating systems. Altogether, 151 houses installed one or more of these improvements.
Perhaps no phases of home demonstration work are more valuable among negroes than sanitation and health, which were exemplified by more than 10,000 negro homes. In 2,361 homes the doors and windows were screened and in 3,781 homes other methods of insect control and extermination were followed. In most Southern States, negro agents have definite plans with blue prints for the construction of sanitary closets. These plans were followed in 1,890 homes. A total of 9,734 women and 10,351 girls were enrolled in home-health and sanitation demonstrations. The agents gave more than 5,000 demonstrations by way of instruction along this line. The club members and the home demonstrators took much interest in home nursing, first aid, care of teeth, care of skin, good posture, prevention of colds, and similar health activities which the agents were emphasizing.
The statistics on house furnishings by negro women and girls compare favorably with their activities along other lines. (Fig.12.) During 1924, 7,688 women and 8,656 girls were enrolled to make or buy and install certain house furnishings suggested by the agents. More than 3,000 individuals conducted demonstrations in treating woodwork, walls, and floors. As a result of demonstrations carried on in house furnishings, 4,938 improvements were made in bedrooms, 1,744 in living rooms, 2,190 in dining rooms, and 1,717 in other rooms of the house.
During the year 4,962 demonstrations in home management were conducted by women and girls, most of them pertaining to the kitchen and its equipment. Negro women and girls in their demonstration activities rearranged 2,226 kitchens according to plans outlined by negro extension agents, installed 326 fireless cookers, 312 kitchen sinks, 1,198 kitchen cabinets, and thousands of other articlesof equipment and convenience in the kitchen. In equipping the home laundry 277 hand washing machines and 26 power washing machines were obtained. The women and girls also bought 623 electric and gasoline irons and 70 power vacuum cleaners. The record shows that 4,008 club members and demonstrators followed improved laundry practices for the first time.