132 MAINE AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION. I905. 



COST. 



Although these foods differ greatly in composition, we find 

 an even greater difference in cost. Of the rolled oats examined, 

 the prices range from 4 to 7.8 cents per pound. The rolled and 

 partially cooked wheats range from 4 to 9.8 cents. But it is in 

 the malted and otherwise "predigested" foods that we find the 

 widest variation, the price running in one instance to 27.2 cents 

 per pound, and in other cases from 13 to 22 cents. 



Some of the standard preparations of rolled oats and wheat, of 

 known excellence, may be obtained in bulk. When purchased 

 from reliable dealers who are handling large quantities and 

 whose stock is consequently frequently renewed, such goods are 

 not only fresh, but, next to white flour, they are among our most 

 economical foods. These cereals may often be purchased at 4 

 cents a pound, or even at a less rate. The same goods put up 

 in pasteboard cartons retail for 2 or 3 cents more per pound. 



The investigations made at this station have thus far failed 

 to discover any fixed relation between price and nutritive value. 

 It is only fair to add, however, that, whatever the relative food 

 values of malted and unmalted foods, the cost of the former to 

 the manufacturer is greater, and the increased price is to this 

 extent justified. The following table gives the cost of wheat, 

 oats, and corn breakfast foods purchased in packages, excluding 

 the uncooked and malted oat and wheat foods. 



Maximum, minim,um and average cost per pound of wheat, oat, 

 and corn breakfast foods purchased in packages. 







Peice per Pound. 



r> 



1 



a 



1 



1 





Kind of cereal. 



s 

 S . 



P 





li 





K-2 



si 





Wheat 11. i 



Oats ! 7.8 



Com* 9.2 



•Including only the hominies. 



4.9 , 7.S 

 4.1 1 6.0 



4.1 5.5 



