Evening journal., 1918-08-02

There are a number OF things one
buys with packsged goods that he does
not get when he purchases similar
products in bulk. He gets these for
nothing-or for very slight increase
over the bulk price Of goods Of like
quality.
These things are honesty and the
business integrity Of enterprises that
have spent fortunes to build public
confidence. Also, the actual weight or
measure stated on the label; freedom
from the communicating Influences; and,
not infrequently, government inspec-
tiOn OF the Notwithstanding Its pur-
ity and wholesomeness.
All these things are thrown In with
the purchase Of packaged goods-not
from any philanthropic motives on the
rart OF the manufacturer, hut merely
because he can't help himself.
For the free competition TO which
le manufacturer is subjected neces-
rily reflects itself in the quality Of
le goods he sells. And II his pro-
acts do not stand the acid test Of
al. they inevitably fall by the way
de.
Also, the constsntly-improving meth
DDS Of producing and marketing these
products develop economies that reduce
The price.
The Standardization Of product which
only possible when special trade
marked goods are bought, is another
important element for consideration.
When 1t Is understood tsat even a child
m be sent to the grocers in Farm
gton, Me-, or Omaha, Neb., and get
ne exact article that tasted so good
and proved SO satisfactory when the
family lived In Chicago or Memphis,
The growing popularity Of standard
aacksged goods is readily apparent.
And why should they not be? Take
the matter Of freshness and keeping
qualities, for example.
Keeping Water Oit Of Cereals.
lt is well-known TO all who spend
leir summers at The shore, or who
We In damp climates, that crackers,
ereals, and, In fact. any products that
absorb moisture, are subject TO rapid
deterioration, owing TO the natural af-
hnity OF cereals for water The pro /
DUCTS become musty, moldy, and to- !
tally UNIT for food in a short time.
But when the goods are packed in
sealed cartons, protected against hy-
droscopic conditions, their keeping
qualities are almost guaranteed.
In other ways also, the marketing OF
foodstuffs in convenient packages is to
be commended. Take dates, for exam
pie. Their sweetness and 'sticklness"
make them, when exposed in bulk. ire
sistible as insect bait. Certain species
OF flies, indeed, are most enthusiastic |
IN depositing their larva in the date /
cretlces, In the tacit assurance Of a /
future food supply for their progeny |
Then, too, the vlscid condition of the |
date causes every particle OF floating
matter brought into contact with II
10 adhere. Board OF Health analysis
Of air-blown street dust tells the re-
mainder OF the story.
Similar arguments could be adduced
against the use Of bulk peanut butter.
The extreme vulnerability Of these pro-
'lcis TO all communicating influences
should cause them TO be sold In sealed
c0nlainers only.
When peanut butter is sold from a
wooden pail or tub, the oily seepage
discOlolrs and runs into the wood and
The paper cover OF The package in
which IL is retaied. This, tends 20 ran
cidity. which, with the extraordinary
affinity OF oils for all the odors in the
acghborhoOd, really makes the article
undesirable for food uses. Further |
ilan this, in bulk peanut butter. the /
oil rises to the top. The material re-
maiDine In the bottom OF the tub.
robbed Of its natural oil, becomes dry
and tasteless-and difflcult Of diges
ton.
Many valuable and economical food
products would never have been in
vented but for the possibilities OF The
sealed carton or package. Corn Flakes,
Tor example, could not be handled in
bulk without crushing and deteriora
Iion. The same might be said Of all
faxed grains, all toasted, puffed, steam
ed or prepared cereals. Modern meth
IDS OF packing and distribution ena-
bic the public to buy in small guam
{ les at few cents a package, as need
"a. The manufacturer and dealer carry
,ie supply and take the risk. The pun
lie Is economically served and meat
and other expensive foods are saved
Buying food in quantity, contrary % I
general belief, IS wasteful and unecu- /
nomical for the average householder as /
houses and fats are arranged lhes. /
days. To illustrate: friend told IN /
how he had lost several bushels OF /
p0ialves by being economical" The /
iEOsls froze during a cold snap. And |
- re lives in Town. the spoiled fruit |
r0nii not even be turned into pig meat I
Had my friend bought his usual peck |
el potatoes at a time, he would have |