, 1891-09-25
THE WORLDS FOOD SUPPLY.

An exhaustive study of the world,
food supply in the forthcoming number
of the American A0riculturist EN-
phislZes facts of grave importance to bott
America and Europe. 1t declares that
the halt has not been told about the
European shortage in breadstuffs. which
not even a bountIful crop this year would
have relieved. Continental powers,
especially Russia, suppress the facts as far
as possible. In many Russian provinces
the scarcity of food became pronounced
as far back as February last. In the
Konstantinovka district many families
have not cooked a meal since Easter, but
subsist on bread, soaked rye, grain &c.
bestowed in charity. The prohibition Of
rye exports is followed by a ukase for
bidding the shipment of bran and other
cereal cattle foods. The astounding
shortage in Russia's Weld OF we, an
nounced a month ago by the ministry of
finance, proves even greater than the
most extravagant estimates, and effectually
obliterates all possibility Of Russia ex-
porting 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 every
where exhausted. The parade made BY
Russia of the existance 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 a twelvemonth hence.
Accepting the largest estimates OF pro-
ductiou. both at home and abroad, and
even assuming that the United States and
Canada can export 225, DOC, 900 bushels,
the American Agricldtinist still finds a
deficit in the worlds food supply of at
least 200. 000, 900 bushels wheat and rye,
with a possibility Of the shortage being
twice as great. Added to this is the
almost total failure Of the potato crop II
Ireland, and a serious curtailment in the
yield of potatoes on the continent. Even
with the utmost economy of distribution
and an unheard Of consumption OF Amer
lean maize. grave distress Is before the
masses OF Europe.
The american A0ricuituriSt says the
enormous exports Of wheat and -four from
the United States in August proves that
Europe regards the situation as worse
than it has yet been painted. Otherwise.
why should she buy in a single month
close upon the harvest nearly half as much
wheat as she took from the United States
during the entire first eight months of the
year following one of our largest wheat
crops and a period Of bed rock prices?
Indeed, August wheat exports were al
most 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 tho first time in years wheat
Europe thus early In the season. The
Agriculturist accepts these circumstances
as the strongest possible reason for be-
that prices Of wheat are today un-
naturally low. 1t looks for a sharp ad-
vance In all cereals as soon as the demand
the limited extent of the worlds
actual supply. Although noted for its
conservatism, the A~0ricuhariist renews its
Judgment that every bushel of high grade
wheat Is today worth fully Sl.00 on the
farm where it grew.