The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-10-07
WORLDS FOOD SUPPLY,
An Exhaustive Study of Eu.
ropes Breadstuff Shortage.
Deficit Of 2oO,Ooo,ooo Bushels
of Wheat and Rye.

An exhaustive study of the worlds food
supply in the forthcoming number of the
American Agriculturist emphasizes facts
OF grave Importance to both America and
Europe. It declares that the half has not
been told about the European shortage in
breadstuffs, which not even bountiful crop
this year would have relieved. Continental
powers, especially Russia, suppress the facts
as far as possible In many Russian prov
inces the scarcity Of food became pronounced
as far back as February last. In the Kon-
stantinovka district many families have not
cooked meal since Easter, but subsist on
bread, soake rye, grain, ETC., bestowed in
charity. The prohibition Of rye exports
Is followed by ukase forbidipg the shipment
Of bran and other cereal cattle foods The as
founding shortage in Russia's yield of rye,
announced month ago by the Ministry OF
Finance, proves even greater than the most
extravagant estimates and effectually OBJ
literates all possibility Of Russia exporting
any Of her scant wheat crops. That eastern
Germany is in practically the same plight
admits Of NO doubt. The European reserves
that have heretofore eked out insufficient
harvests are everywhere exhausted. The
parade made by Russia Of the existence Of
such stores in the Baltic provinces IS done
for effect, to convey the impression that
military stores are abundant. Such reserves
are of small Importance. Indeed, the danger
OF famine is destined to spare Europe the
horrors Of war for fully twelvemonth
hence.
Accepting the largest estimates of produc-
ton, both at home and abroad, and even as
suming that the United States and Canada
can export 225 ,000, 900 bushels, the Ag1ieul-
turist still finds deficit in the worlds food
supply Of at least zoe, ,0O0, 900 bushels of
wheat and rye, with possibility of the
shortage being twice as great. Added to this
Is the almost total failure o. the potato crop
In Ireland, and serious curtailment in the
yie.d of potatoes on the Continent. Even
with the utmost economy Of distribution and
an unheard Of consumption Of American
maize, grave distress is before the masses Of
Europe.
The Agricultu,1st says the enormous ex-
ports of wheat and -four from the United
States in August proves that Europe re-
CARDS the situation as worse than 1t has yet.
been painted. Otherwise, why should she
buy in single month close upon the harvest
nearly half as much wheat SIS she took from
the United States during the entire fit
eight months Of the year following one OF
our largest wheat crops and period OF bed
rock pricess Indeed, August wheat exports
were almost treble those OF the same month
last year and over four times as much as the
average exports at this season of late years:
For the first time in years wheat bran and
middlings are being exported to Europe
thus early in tine season. The Agriculturist
accepts these circumstances as the strongest
possible reason for believing that prices OF
wheat are to-day unnaturally low. 1t looks
for sharp advance in all cereals as soon as
the demand realizes the limited extent Of
the worlds actual supply. Although noted
news its Judgment that every bushel of high
grade wheat is to-day worth fully one dollar
on the farm where 1t grew