The total amount of the mineral matter needed per day by the body is relatively small, yet mineral matter is very important. It is commonly assumed and is probably true, that a mixed diet reasonably varied and reasonably generous will supply all the ash constituent which the body requires. If for any reason calcium and phosphorus are lacking in the diet, the amounts may be readily increased (as pointed out in one of the publications just cited) by a free use of milk and such milk products as cheese and junket, without decreasing the palatability of the diet or materially increasing its cost. FOOTNOTES: [7] U. S. Dept. Agr., Bur. Anim. Indus. Bul. 146. [8] U. S. Dept. Agr., Office Expt. Stas. Buls. 185 and 227. NUTRITIVE VALUE AND COST OF CHEESE AND SOME OTHER FOOD MATERIALS. Since the market prices of foods vary, it is difficult to compare the amounts of nourishment secured for a given sum, 10 cents say, in buying different food materials. We may, however, suppose that foods have certain prices and make the comparison on this basis. In the following table the amount of cheese obtained for 10 cents when cheese costs 22 cents a pound is shown, together with the protein and energy value of this quantity, this value being compared with similar values for a number of other common foods at certain assumed prices per pound. _Amounts of protein and energy obtained for 10 cents expended for cheese and other foods at certain assumed prices per pound._ --------------+---------------------+----------+---------------------- | | | 10 cents’ worth will | | 10 cents | contain— Food | Price. | will |---------------------- materials. | | buy— | | A fuel | | | Proteid. | value of— --------------+---------------------+----------+----------+----------- | |_Ounces._ |_Ounces._ |_Calories._ Cheese | 22 cents per pound | 7.3 | 1.9 | 886 Beef, average | 20 cents per pound | 8.0 | 1.2 | 467 Porterhouse | | | | steak | 25 cents per pound | 6.4 | 1.3 | 444 Dried beef | do | 6.4 | 1.6 | 315 Eggs | 24 cents per dozen | 10.0 | 1.3 | 198 Milk | 9 cents per quart | 38.3 | 1.2 | 736 Wheat bread | 5 cents per pound | 32.0 | 2.9 | 2,400 Potatoes | 60 cents per bushel | 160.0 | | 2,950 Apples | 1½ cents per pound | 106.7 | | 1,270 --------------+---------------------+----------+----------+-----------