PROCEEDINGS OF TWENTY-SIXTH FRUIT-GROWERS' CONVENTION. 181 



are preposterous: "Grape-nuts are a condensed food." "Four heaping 

 teaspoonfuls are sufficient for the average meal." "The system will 

 absorb a greater amount of nourishment from one pound of grape-nuts 

 than from ten pounds of meat, wheat, oats, or bread." A man at moder- 

 ate work needs per day about .28 of a pound (4^ ounces) of protein, and 

 sufficient fats and carbohydrates to make the potential energy 3,500 

 calories. Four heaping teaspoonfuls of grape-nuts weigh one ounce. The 

 protein and energy needed for one meal (one third of one day) and that 

 furnished by four heaping teaspoonfuls of grape-nuts are compared in 

 the following table: 



Protein. Fuel Value, 

 (lbs.) (calories) 



Needed for one third day by man at moderate work .090 1,175 



Furnished by 4 heaping teaspoonfuls (1 oz. grape-nuts).- .007 117 



It would require .77 of a pound of grape-nuts (three fourths of a 

 package) to furnish one third of the protein needed for one day, and the 

 energy needed would be afforded by .63 of a pound. 



The nutrients of beef are usually more completely digested and 

 absorbed than those of vegetable foods. There is no reason for thinking 

 that grape-nuts would be more completely digested than rolled oats, 

 wheat flour, or wheat bread. 



In the following table there are compared the pounds of protein and 

 fuel values of one pound of grape-nuts, with ten pounds of meat, wheat, 

 oats, or bread: 



Protein. Fuel Value. 



(lbs.) (calories) 



1 pound grape-nuts .12 1,870 



10 pounds round steak and bone 1.90 8,950 



10 pounds beef rump and bone 1.29 14,050 



10 pounds rolled wheat 1.30 17,650 



10 pounds flour, white 1.01 16,450 



10 pounds rolled oats , 1.50 19,650 



10 pounds white bread .80 12,200 



While there is no question that grape-nuts is a good cereal food, it is 

 difficult to understand why the manufacturers should make claims so 

 absurd and contrary to fact. 



And now for just one moment let us consider why all this goes on. 

 We have laws against these practices. In our own country nearly all 

 the States and Territories have laws on this subject, but they are not 

 rigidly enforced. Determined efforts have been and are being made to 

 secure a national food law, and it is to be hoped that we shall not have 

 many years to wait for it. But the mere passage of the law will not 

 accomplish the work. We must grow Up to the law as individuals and 

 as a people. Law alone will not efiect it. Pure-food conventions alone 

 will not do so, nor will pure-food exhibits. All these help, but they 

 accomplish but little, so long as the more enlightened and better class 

 of people do not take an active part or display sufficient interest in 



