Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-03-31
FIELD OF DIETErICs,
Big Food Waste and Great American
ExtrgvaganCe.

correspondence or the Dlspatcn.)
NEW YORK, March 3O.-There are few
households In the land but have
periodical recrudescence OF economy in
the matter OF food supply. A big grocer's
or butchers bill Immediately suggests
that there sfCuld he some economy prac-
ticcd "someWhere.
The present activity In the field Of 6tete-
ties should spread valuable knowledge
into every kitchen. 1t is already showing
benefits in the matter of nutritious food
versus medicine.
Housewives do not always feanze that
they have prominent part to play In
this grave question Of the day-the dis
posal Of garbage" That responsibility
lies within the domestic threshold, and to
consgn r:le collection Of waste - the
scavanger is not the limit of her power.
nor n self-satisfyiry conclusion. What she
consigns does concern her. and this "bete
nOirc' found IN every part OF the land,
subject fraucht with almost insurmount-
able difficulties to those whose business
1t IS TO find a healthful and quick dis
posal OF gurbage is far. more the business
Of the housekeeper than she Is willing
TO acknowledge. We must go back OF the
EaIDtEt-CaN 10 Illll the cause. american
extravaganza is proverbial the world over.
We provide with lavish hand. Unsklled
and Indifferent help waste accordingly.
Expenditure for food In large per-
centage OF the middle and lower classes
IS estimated 10 take very often fully three
fourths of the income. Actual consump-
ton and benefit derived from quantity
supplied is notably small in the weather.
families.
WANT OF NUTRTMENT.
Convincing proof is found in the over
flowing garbage-can. Lack of robustness
among a certain class and the amount OF
debility affecting a majority OF people,
prove 10 investigators want OF proper
nutriment TO build up the overwrought
body which must endure somehow the
strain and stress Of American life and
climate.
The unintelligent methods Of poor SER
wants, unskilled in handling food. Is one
cause Of the effect. 1t is considered their
prerogstive TO waste what does not suit
their fancy. 'Leavings." which may be
the best portions from the mistresses'
table. are not palatable to their taste,
and good material Is speedily hidden
from. ,ght. more Is called for. and a
haphezzsrd supply to keep Bridget good
natured furnishes her with an abundance
w ONNIiDW CiOS pipes, CUOht
traps, Ill cess-pools, draw vermin. and
offer culture as a medium for the ubiqui-
tous microbe. Noxious doors offend nos
trlls, and dangerous effluvia teopardze
health and obstruct sanitary measures.
1t Is Just this waste In the world that
has been the cause OF plaques, pest,-
lences. and diseases. 1t Is wasted time.
strength. money. happiness. and. too
often, life.
SYNONYMS.
Economy and cleanliness are synony-
nous. especially IN the household. We
have but TO refer to the French people
to prove the truth OF this. Their thrift, |
economy. and cleanliness form a sc.
Quence demonstrated in their beautiful
capital extended to their very Kitchens,
where the nicely OF their food manipula-
ton. their careful marketing, and dainty |
repasts all seem as aids to the great |
sanitary problem.
The Frenchman wastes never n crumb |
He markets for the day. His larder |
never overfiows. HIS meals are COM |,
posed OF tid-blts. Sometimes TO the |
American palate 1t seems insufficient. but |
when all Is considered what cuisine can |
take the palm from the French?
This secret OF the Frenchman's clean |
illness and thrift lies entirely in his me. |
Is not too poor to turn into some dainty |
sppetlzer. Small things are not abhor. |
red by him. Indeed. IL IL revolving to |
the deicacy OF such an epicure TO see |
large quantities OF good food cast before |
swine in the shape OF garbage. On.
never sees in France whole loaves OF |
bread. ,mouldy and Gnsightly. thrown
into cutters by beggars. n familiar sight
in streets. about American homes. espe-
cially in large cities.
Money IS saved, labor minimized, and |
health is preserved by economical, care
full observance OF the food supply. Con. |
Of one kind OF food with an
other grown stale is avoided. and the |
troubles OF disorder uncleanliness, and !
unhygienic conditions unpleasant TO
taste and sight are escaped in a great |
measure. Until there Is a full recogni- |
ton OF the danger from contaminated |
food, become so by contact with decay |
Ing material, perhaps I'm the ice-box, per. |
haps from the refuse heap or can, per- |
haps from grease-cloSged sinks, etc, our
domestic hygienics are not above re-
proach. In these days. when Spartan |
constitutions are unknown and deaths
from mal-nutrition are found on all |
sides IN the improv!dent classes, a lesson
DR. two upon the question OF waste and
want should work wholesome cure.
Let the supply equal only the demand,
and there will be little or no waste
n. V. SHALER.