The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-01-17
CORN AS FAMINE FOOD.

To Take the Place of Suggestion
That the Starving Millions of India
Might Use up Some of the Maize Sur
plus of the United States Mt Low Prices.
4 special from Washington to the Chi
cago Record says: The shortage in the
wheat crop in foreign countries which
come into competition with the United
STATES, and the famine in India, suggest
that the corn crop of the United States
might be used to meet the demand for
food in India at much less than is being
paid for wheat. The shipments already
made from San Francisco to India have
materially raised the price of that staple
to the famine-Etricken inhabitants of In
dia. and there is no reason why corn,
which we have in such abundance, and
which is almost equal to wheat in its
DEMONSTRATING qualities, should not be
utilized.
1t is estimated that the wheat crop of
the leading commercial nations with
which this country is in active competi-
ton in wheat is short this year about
200. 100000 bushels. This shortage is
distributed approximately as follows:
Russia. 10000 bushels; India, $4,000
bushels; Canada, 10000 bushels; United
States, 10000 bushels.
In Argentina decided falling off is pre-
dicted, but no figures are given. The
same is true of Australia, which country
will be obliged to import wheat this year.
In the united kingdom there is small
shortage. or the other leading European
nations, France has n normal crop. Rou-
mania and Bulgaria good crops, Italy a
little above the average The prospects
fD- IN ~, In
rible famine now prevails. are very poor,
owing to a severe drought The same is
true of Russia for similar reasons. Other
cereal crops are short in about the same
proportions as wheat, but no definite fig
ures have been thus far furnished the
Department of Agriculture. The short
age of the wheat crop of India has re-
suited III the prevailing famine, and it is
very much feared the famine will be
worse next year, spring and summer.
Fears are also entertained that Russia
viii suffer severely from short crops next
year.
The price of wheat has advanced from
IS cents TO about 81 cents within the
last three months, and it is not probable,
judging from conditions reported, that it
will be any cheaper next summer. Indeed
the prospect is that wheat will go higher
and that the price win be maintained
for another year. There is probability
that India and Russia will be required
to pay ST to S1.20 per bushel for wheat
needed to supply their deficiencies. Cor
respondingly high prices will have to be
paid for wheat in the countries of Europe.
The question naturally arises in view
Gf this apprehendcd advance in the price
Of wheat whether the corn crop Of the
United States could not be advantage
ously used TO supply the famine-stricken
people Of India. The corn crop of 1895
was an unusually large one, and we have
still on hand about 410,0oo.000 bushels
\ preliminary estimate of the cruL of
1886 made by the Agricultural Depart
ment is =, 100, 100000 bushels, which
would give us a supply Of 2,510, 100000
bushels. The consumption is estimated
at LOO 100000 bushels and the exports
at 100000,000 bushels. From these fig
ures ii will he sep1 that the American
farmer has an enormous supply Of corn
on hand and as a result that staple is
quoted IN New York at % to 81 cents a
bushel, with little prospect of going any
higher unless foreign demand for corn
shall spring up.
liberal estima te makes about 300
100000 bushels of cora the equivalent
Of the 200,000,000 bushels or wheat above
referred TO as deficient What a great
benefit it would be to the American
farmer If his corn could be utilized for
supplying this deficiency. Famine already
exists in India. 1t is an easy matter to
Ship our corn to India and ii can be done
to the great advantage OF the American
producer and thereby help the stricken
sufferers. The Indian authorities have
paid rs cents. bushel for wheat in San
Francisco and it costs 20 cents bushel
to transport it TO India. 1t is highly prob
able they have to pay 80 cents hereafter.
What will corn cost delivered in India p
No quotations are available from San
Francisco TO India, but steamers can be
had from New York to India at shilhngs
u pence quarter, or about % cents
bushel. With corn at New York at, say,
30 cents a buShel, and freight % cents,
corn can be had down in India at So cents
n bushel. Theoretically, it requires Is
bushel Of corn used by itself to nourish
q man as well and as long as a bushel
Of wheat will do. That is bushel of
wheat will nourish thirty people for one
day, while bushel of corn will supply
only enough nourishment for twenty.
This is on the basis of the contents of
protein only. Comparing the relative
cost Of the two staples, it is found that,
plus the freight, enc bushel OF wheat in
India costs about S1.13, and that one
and one-half bushels OF corn would cost
in India about so cents, thus saving in
the food Of thirty persons one day 80
cents.
BENEFITS REMARKABLE MEM