The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-10-11
MORE WHEAT NEEDED.
Great Deficiency I'm Worlds supply
COmpared with Formulation.

Charleston News and Courier.
The New York Times prints in condensed
ted by Mr. c., Wood Davis to the current
number of the Forum magazine on Tho
Impending Deficiency Of Breadstuffs"
est to many farmers in the Southern States.
Mr.. Davis asserts that the demand for
bread is increasing at a much greater rate
than the supply; that the supply Is already
insufficient TO the requirements of co..sump-
ton, and that the insufiiciency threatens
to increase; and the facts which he states
in support Of his assertion appear to sus-
He sets forth generally that the bread
eaters of the world, who are only tho
populations of European lineage, inhabiting
North and South America, Europe, Aus
tralasia, Russian Asia and South Africa,
numbered in 1871 371000,00Q and now num-
Der 100000. On the other hand, the area
sown in wheat, which in 1871 was Us. 600, 900
acres, is now only 15S, 000. 900 acres That IN
to say, while the bread eaters have in
creased more than 81 per cent. the worlds
wheat field has increased but little more
than 20 per cent. And this disparity Is not
due to the increased use of other grain The
demand for wheat is stronger than ever
while the demand for other small bread
making grains has fallen off and the acre
age devoted to them is less than 1t was
twenty-five years ago. by percentages rang
case of buckwheat.
1t is duly noted that wheat is grown In
some countries, in Asia and North Africa,
whose inhabitants are not bread-eaters, but
the total of exports of these countries Is
less than 100000 bushels per annum. An
addition to the whedt-bearing area of the
world Mr.. Davis considers probable only
from South America, and he points cut that
in the United States the area has actually
diminished within the last fifteen years.
Asiatic Russia he dismisses with the state
ment from Russian authority that Siberia
never could produce enough wheat and rye
to feed its own population. Australasia In
connection with this aspect of the question
he does not mention at all And he reaches
the startling conclusion that an average
yield from the acres now devoted to the
chief bread-malSing grain would be 1915. 600
600 bushels less than present needs" and
that "the greatest crop ever grown would
not meet present requirements"
Both Mr.. Davis and the Times discuss the
possibility, and, so lar as the United States
are concerned, the desirability Of substi-
tuting the use Of corn meal for that of Hour
in large measure in Europe. but the success
of that proposed measure of relief is prob
lematical to say the least. and until its sue
cess is assured the conditions described are
eaters and actual and potential wheat grow
ers In this country.
II Mr.. Davis is right In his estimates and
conclusions, his views will certainly find
speedy acceptance in the markets of tho
world and 1t is confidently TO be expected
that the present prices OF wheat and flour
will hold good for some years 10 come. and
until. indeed. the supply Of the staple grain
overtakes the demand for 1t. If that solution
is proved to he practicable. In the mean
while 1t is rather more than probable that
wheat will be n profitable crop for oil farm
ers who can grow 1t nnder reasonably favor
able conditions. and the farmers OF the
South might find I 10 their advantage to
shape their plans accordingly.