Mineral Point weekly tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1859-1868, 1862-01-22
Cheap Food for the War Times

The following is taken from the 4me,.i-
can AgriculturaiSt, and is right to the
point:
Economy is the word now, or should be.
in every family. Some are compelled TO
economic, and others do so from motives
of benevolence, that they may tie better
be able to assist their less fortunate
friends and neighbors while others will
practice economy from patriotic motives.
There are over twenty million inhabitants
in the Northern and Middle States. If
by economy in food, clothing, Injuries.
furniture, carriages and sundry other
items, the acreage reduc ton of current
expenses for one year be only cents a
day each, the sacings tciU amount TO orer
fire hundred million doliars( $500, ,000, ,0O0D
This would balance the four hundred mil
lions expended by the government. and
leave one hundred millions as an offset to
the extra expenses and contributions of
those not connected with or employ d by
the government, so that the nation would
have quite as mu wealth after a wear
war as if peace had prevailed and the
people had gone on in their previous modes
of living.
The four hundred million dollars ex-
pended by the government, are nearly all
paid to manufacturers, laborers, eultiva-
tors, etc, here at home
We believe the people can and will re-
duce their expenses cents IA day each
on the acreage.
One of the few good effects of this war
will be to bring US back 20 more economi-
cal habits which will cling to us after
ward
The main object Of the present chapter
Is to assist, if we can, in economy and
food. Did it ever occur TO the reader how
little, comparatively, we, as people, use
Indian corn? This crop is grown more
generally, and with more certainty than
any other, and its actual production far
exceeds that of all other grains taken to-
gether. And yet few pounds of meal
per month, for dessert nuddings and occa-
sional other dishes, is about the extent of
the consumption of corn in the great ma
iority of the families in the Northern
States. Some families use much more,
but these are exceptions to the general
rule. And yet, busheI Of ground corn
affords quite as much heaithfui nourish-
naent as a busheI of ,cheat 4 bushel of
corn weighs 56 pounds, and a bushel of
V heat 90 pounds but there is more waste
IN grinding the wheat, in the shape of
bran and ship stuff
a buShel OF corn contains four times
as much nutriment as a busbel of pota-
toes.
We have just examined the market pri-
ceS of wheat, Corn and Potatoes. in diff
ferent parts Of the country. The exami-
nation shows, first, that taking the country
together, the price of a bushei Of corn
and bushel of potatoes are about the same.
(they vary considerably in pla .es, but not
generally;) J and second, that a bushel Of
wheat sells for two-and-a-half times as
much as a bushel of corn We therefore
find that on an average. an amount OF
nourishment costing 81 in the form of
corn, costs so in the form Of wheat, and
81 IN the form OF JOtatoes (Four-fifths
OF the weight of potatoes arc water) So.
then, 0 three families requiring the same
amount of nourshing food what would
cost one $50 a year in the form of corn,
would cost the second 500 in the form of
wheat, and the third Sl60 in the form of
potatoes.
Why, then, do not people consume more
corn? 4Hs1cer-FashiOn or custom has
much Influence and ignorance Of the value
of corn, or of good modes of cooking it
does the rest TO do away with the last
named difficulty; we propose to give here
after, as we have room. considerable
variety of methods for preparing corn,
and corn meal, so as to make them pala-
table Of the healthfulness there is no
doubt, and from the methods given. every
housewife can find one or more that will
suit TIE wants and taste of those for whom
she provides