Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1895-09-10
WHEAT CONSUMPTION IN INDIA

We have called attention recently L
increased quantities in India. A gentle
man addressing wheat and beef trade
association of the country said that dur
ing the past three years the local con
sumption OF wheat 10 lower Bengal Ia:
almost trebled itself, having risen frou
23 600 TO $1,000 tons. The qusntitie:
exported have declined. Other facts oI
similar nature might De cited. Sta.
tistics have been pleasure 10 the writer
because they are supposed 10 represent
facts and the arrival al facts Is one OF
the great ends of all research.
Statisticians of both continents have
been very profuse in their presentation
OF statistical facts and estimates as tn,
basis OF prophecies OF the end of the
tremendous competition Of all parts OF
the world for the markets Of Europe
One class estimating on the basis OF
present Yields per acre in new countrie.
by unaided machine farming perceive in
the not far of future a crop famine and
greatly increased prices. These forget
that the final resources of these new
countries have been scarcely touched.
They forget that the great West, now
producing twelve bushels of wheat per
acre, Is capable under the stress OF high
farming of producing forty bushels per
acre and that when the half-ciyilized
agriculture OF America, India, Russia.
Africa and South America Is brought up
70 the average of the crops OF Great
Britain that the increased supply would
support vastly Increased populations re-
quiring generations of peace and growth
to reach.
on the other hand, and herein lies the
hope of the writer, the present popula-
tion OF the globe is capable of consum-
ing far more than the present produc-
tions OF agriculture in those things that
are exported.
India with quarter OF billion of
produces only about one-hslf
OF the wheat of this country and yet eN-
ports $1,000, 600 bushels. India VIII. n
well fed is capable OF consuming bill
lion and quarter bushels OF wheat and
China two billions of bushels.
Russia, our greatest competitor for
European markets, with y population OF
over lOo, ,OOO, coo of people, produces lar
less wheat than America and Yet sells
wheat very heavily. Africa, with a
twice and one-half AS great
as the North American continent, viii
doubtless, with its increasing power 10
produce, acquire not only the taste but
the power of consuming its own
products.
South America, lying under the equa-
tor, where man is not likely 10 rise TO
great achievements, has but narrow
areas from which large exports may be
expected and has rapidly increasing
which, when IL reaches a
point OF consuming as the people OF
North America consume, will need most
OF its own food products. The fact has
been strangely overlooked that the very
stimulus that induces the people of Asia
i but the exhibition of one OF those
phases Of developing civilization that
always ultimates in greatly Increased
powers. This sudden cheap
eniug OF production of crops 10 new
fields has thrown quickly on the markets
very nearly all that these far away areas
Of the world will have 20 give 10 Europe
in large amounts, or more safely, IL may
be said that the Increased output of the
new and available export areas of farm
products is not likely TO increase 10 the
future as fast as population. When this
in developing new areas has
done its work, and il has very nearly
reached the zenith of its efforts, the
world will be troubled less with an un-
wieldv surplus of farm products. And
AZ last, when the consuming powers OF
Russia. Asia, Africa aud South America
are set in motion, and they are begin
ming to take on motion, the agricultural
surplus problem will have become SET
tied. This generation will see that day
and an era Of demand for land.-Mirror
and Farmer.