80 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



In the "ideal division" it will be noted that 25 per cent is 

 spent for food; 20 per cent plus or minus for rent; 15 per cent 

 plus or minus for operating expenses; 15 per cent plus or minus 

 for clothes; and 25 per cent for the higher life. 



* 



• Food. 



There are five divisions made in dividing the income. Food 

 is first, for without that life cannot be maintained no matter 

 what else may be possessed. This is absolutely essential. It 

 may not be the kind desired, but if it contains proper nutri- 

 ment the body may maintain its working efficiency. Some of 

 the cheapest foods contain the various nutrients in available 

 form, so that economy along this line is entirely possible. A 

 knowledge of food values will enable one to regulate this column 

 to a nicety, and still the family be nourished in proper form. 

 To buy out of season always adds much to the cost and seldom 

 adds materially to the food value. Some of the most expensive 

 foods, such as meats, have substitutes. If vegetables are not 

 strictly fresh they may have deteriorated decidedly and there- 

 fore be expensive. One must be well trained in the business of 

 buying and have a knowledge of food values in order to keep 

 this item within bounds. 



Many inexperienced housekeepers order too much or prepare 

 too much. If these left-overs are not properly utilized there 

 will be a leak. Look well to the garbage pail. Keep it free 

 from foodstuffs that can in any way be used. You know 

 that as a class American cooks are wasteful, and that our more 

 thrifty relatives across the seas know much better than we the 

 value of left-overs. Is it true that a French family could be 

 fed on what an American family throws away? 



Food must, as before stated, contain the proper nutriment. 

 It must be clean. The standard of cleanliness is constantly 

 rising; greater demands are placed on the producers, with a 

 resulting rise in prices. It must be properly cooked, otherwise 

 a perfect food might be spoiled for use. It must look attractive. 

 There necessarily must be variety; but not so much as some 

 people think. In this respect we may be able to save on the 

 cost of food. Twenty-five per cent is the proportion set aside 

 for this necessitv. 



