THE ECONOMIC FACTORS 



129 



of the cheapest of foods, a fact reinforced by the con- 

 siderations that it is free from waste material, is easily 

 digested, is indispensable for infants and children, and 

 may be used either without preparation or in ready 

 combination with other food materials. 



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FIG. 16. RELATIVE RETAIL PRICES, 1890-1915 

 Milk and Potatoes 



We may now examine the complaint of the farmer 

 that the cost of producing milk has increased greatly 

 in recent years without a commensurate increase in the 

 price of the product. Data on this point are set forth 

 in Fig. 21. This shows the relative increases in the two 

 great items of cost of farm labor and of cattle feeds, 

 items which constitute 80 to 85 per cent of the total 

 farm cost of milk production. Labor for the dairy 



