The sun., 1894-05-06

eastern and central parts, but very light
sandy one as the western limits arc sp-
preached. the aggregate area adapted TO wheat
culture spproximating 100000.0OO acres. or
about double the area Of Kansas. AM
other 1oO.OOOooO acres, mostly within
the region OF tropical rainfall. may
be assumed to be suited 10 maize
culture. az is the greater part OF the wheat
land. While the Argentine acres potentially
wheat bearing are two and half times as
great as are those ft for culture In Kansas.
yet the climatic vicissitudes OF that region are
even greater than those OF Kansas and the
crops less certain. as has been shown by the
variations In the Yields and exports oil both
wheat and corn.
On the Andean slopes. and possibly other
very limited areas are favored localities OF
small extent adapted to wheat culture. but no
augmentation OF the exportable surplus need
he looked for from such regions. The whole
arabic region Ia subject to frequent and de-
structive locust invasions, and frosts ravage
the fields south OF the thirtv-seventh parallel
Excluding the cotton belt and the arid lands
west Of the Doth meridian. the wheat area OF
the United States is eight tlmes as great as
that Of Argentina, and the corn belt OF the
United States covers six to eight times the
area OF the corn regions OF all South America
whore corn can be safely stored.
An extension OF cereal culture In Uruguay
and Argentina will probably have the effect Of
diminishing the supply OF meat from the
Southern Hemisphere.
When brought into production and crop dis
tribution proportioned to symmetrical ma.
tlonal development. Argentina and Uruguay
will afford homes for prosperous populations
who will long have large surpluses OF food.
which other peoples must buy at prices deter
mined by relatively increasing requirements
and relatively lesseninG supplies.
Together these countries will be able. either
within their borders or by exporting the food.
to provide sustenancs for nve or six years nd-
dltlons to the populations OF European lineage.
Itnppears from q careful and thorough ex-
anime alton OF tho whole field Of possible agri-
cultural production that II will be possible to
provide for about twenty fve years. additions
to the bread eating populations without lower
ing the standard Of living materially. provided
tho regions named can be brought fully into
production so rapidly as to meet increasing
current requirements. Can this be done2
The bread-eating populations have. since
1883. increased 3I3 per cent. and should this
rate OF increase be maintained until 1920
food lust be provided for 105. 900 900 added
individuals. requiring. at the present rate of
consumption, the grain and potatoes from
POS. .000 900 new aores. or more than double
the food bearing acres added between 1860
and 1894. although tho available lands upon
which drafts can be m ade are less In the meas
ure OF tho vast areas occupied within twonty-
i've years.
The sum Of all the areas have particular
lied as still available is less than 800. 900 600
acres. while the arabic area-of tho United
States. exclusive OF plain and mountain re-
gions. is 100. 900. 900 acres. OF which less than
13 per cent. 10 devoted to grain and potatoes.
although 1t 10 possible that 3 per cent. more
may ultimately be made productive OF the
primary food staples Illinois and Iowa hav-
ing minimum OF waste land. the food bearing
areas equal 33 per cent. and 30 per cent. In
Belgium. although tho proportion is but 15
per cont. for the whole OF Europe In India all
cultures cover 20 per cent. OF tho area.
Assuming that as much as 300 600. 900 Of tho
arabic acrcs OF the temperate zones are still
unproductive. and that 25 per cent. may
ultimately be made to bear the primary food
staples. II Is barely possible that enough land
may yet be brought under cultivation to fur
nish food at the current rate OF consum ption.
for additions likely to be made to the popula-
tions Of European lineage prior to 1920
Is 1t probable. however. that these sparsely
settled regions. with so much that Is undesira-
BILE In the social. political. and Industrial con-
ditions OF most OF them. can be fully peo-
pied and completely brought into production
and the necessary means OF transport pro-
vided within twenty-five years?
With an immense and most accessible area
provided with the m cans Of transport and with
superior social and political conditions to
draw uron in tho United States. the additions
to the worlds food bearing acres have aver
aged but 100000 yearly since 1859. Is It
probable that such an average can. under ex-
listing conditions. be doubled for the coming
twenty-five years?
When provision shall have been made. II
that be possible. TO feed and also clothe the
165 100000 individuals who are likely to DO
added TO the bTead-eatinG populations before
1920 by the complete occupancy OF the arabic
areas OF the temperate zones now but par
TALLY occupied. where can be found the .l0O.-
900 900 other arabic acres OF which 270. .Oo0.-
600 must be made actually food bearing, that |
will be required to meet the wants OF 2lS 0O0.- |
600 units that will be added to such popula-
tions between 1920 and 1o45 II the present
rate OF increase be maintained1 II arabic |
areas OF such extent cannot be found and
made contrbutory to the subsistence OF such
great host. what thenf c. WooD DAVIS.
80 ~