92 AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS 



period. Of this, $5.16, or 14.8 per cent, was paid for oranges and 

 celery, which together furnished only 150 grams protein and 6,445 

 calories of energy or about i per cent of both total protein and total 

 fuel value. During the same period the expenditure for cheaper 

 vegetables and fruits, such as potatoes, cabbages, sweet potatoes, 

 apples, canned tomatoes, canned peaches, etc., was $5.75, and this 

 funished 1,909 grams protein and 58,000 calories of energy. The 

 expenditure of $5 . 16 for cereal foods and sugar furnished 3,375 grams 

 protein and 184,185 calories of energy, or about 25 times the amount 

 supplied by the celery and oranges. The oranges and the celery 

 undoubtedly added to the attractiveness of the diet, and nothing can 

 be said against their use, provided the cost of the diet is reasonable in 

 proportion to the family income. It is true, however, that such foods 

 could have been omitted from the diet without materially changing 

 its nutritive value, while the cost of the daily food would have been 

 considerably lowered; or other articles perhaps equally attractive but 

 of lower cost might have been used in place of the oranges and celery. 



It is in the combination, with due reference to economy, of staple 

 articles, many of which are lacking in distinctive flavor, with foods 

 and dishes which possess marked flavor that one of the greatest oppor- 

 tunities for skilful management in the household occurs. 



Another problem of importance is the ease and economy of prepa- 

 ration of food in relation to its cost. A cheap cut of meat, like 

 shoulder clod, cannot be so readily served in attractive form as a 

 choice steak. The cheaper cut requires much longer cooking and 

 consequently more fuel and labor, and to be at is best should be 

 cooked with seasoning vegetables or prepared in some similar way 

 which secures flavor. Other cases like this are too well known to need 

 mention. True economy consists in so adjusting such matters to the 

 family income that palate and purse may each have its due. 



The housewife who can appreciate and apply the available knowl- 

 edge regarding the relative cost of. different methods of cookery, 

 fitting combinations of food, the relation between composition and 

 cost, and similar factors can supply wholesome diet suited to her 

 family needs at a much more reasonable cost than is the case when 

 such knowledge is disregarded. 



The problems of economy in living differ in town and country. 

 The farmer's wife has her vegetables, fruits, poultry, dairy products, 

 etc., without a cash outlay, while the housewife in the city must pur- 

 chase everything Considering market facilities, however, and the 



