Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-09-29
DOMESTIC SCIENCE.
III-ECONOMY IN BUYING.
By Frederic J. Haskin.

Economy in the home may be Said 10
begin with the purchase Of supplies, for
if proper care is not taken In this detail
no amount of after care can replace the
loss sustained Housekeepers should pay
the closest attention, not only to the
quality of the articles purchased, but also
to the quantity delivered, in view Of the
results Of the investigations still In
progress in some parts of the country
regarding the use of faulty weights and
measures. 1t is said that short weights
and measures cost the citizens of New
York city at least $4,000 last year. The
shortages ran from . to 10 per cent, ac
cording to the material purchased and
the place at which it was sold.
In the sale of fruits and vegetables
there seems to be no limit to the con-
trivances for short measures. Baskets
are often found which are full size in APP
toms, which take off quarter of their
apparent contents. This is also the case
with wooden measures. There are scales
which seem to weigh correctly to the
eye of the customer, but really average a
loss of several ounces to the pound.
This shortage is not confined to food
stuffs 1t is just as frequent in dry
goods stores. Some of the yard sticks
used in the shops are at least quarter
of an inch short, while the ta<ks placed
along the counter for measuring are fire.
uuently half an inch or more snort OF
the full yard. Spools of silk and thread
have been found to run several yards
short of the number accredited them,
and the same Is frequently true OIL tapes
and ribbon sold by the bolt.
The United States government, as well
as the local authorities, is making a
valiant effort to Sc
Efforts to Get cure full weights
and m e a
Full Welgnts. throughout the coun-
try. To aid this purpose every house
hold should be equipped with accurate
scales and a set of standard measures.
To a large degree the reform of this evil
rests with the women Of the country. 1t
should receive constant attention, be-
cause carelessness in this particular al
fects not only the individual home econ
| omy, but the welfare Of the entire nation.
| In the purchase of food the points fol-
| consideration are its purity and its nu
| tritive value. The most expensive foods
ere not always the most nutritious. 1t Is
not always wise to judge by first appear
ances Everything should be thoroughly
examined before purchasing. A woman
noticing a basket OF sound apples. rather
! dull and cloudy in appearance. asked the
| price Fifteen cents" was the answer
And these" she asked indicating bas-
ket filed with apples which We're shiny
and rosy Those are % cents answered
! the dealer, and she included them in hel
/ order Afterward. in going to another
/ part of the store. she saw boy seated
/ by a barrel of the dull-looking apples. He
| was taking them out one by one ant
polishing them with iilthy-looking cloth
/ aver which they We're placed in baske
chased that basket received 10 cents worth
| of fruit which had been rendered les
| sanitary by depriving 1t of its natura
/ bloom, although she ignorantly paid II
cents for the process. Yet the majorit,
Of women paid the difference for the at
tractive- looking fruit