The number of books in the Early American Cookbooks collection which contain the word “frugal” in the text increases over the years 1800 to 1920. This increase may simply be a reflection of the overall increase in the number of books published over time in the collection (see books by year chart). The peaks in the numbers at the end of the 19th century may reflect an increase in the number of books directed at young, inexperienced housekeepers with a small budget such as The Cottage Kitchen: A Collection of Practical and Inexpensive Receipts or Motherly Talks: The Home, How to Make and Keep It.
