The Bowbells tribune. [volume] (Bowbells, Ward Co., N.D.) 1899-1969, 1910-10-07
THE NEW ERA in
GROWING WHEAT
The Shortage of the Worlds Grain Supply
II and the Introduction Of Dry Farm.
z ing as Sure Remedy for
the Growing De-
Il fiCiency.


where, owing to increased population
without increased production per acre,
our home food supply will be insuffici-
ent for our needs. Within ten years
we are likely to become wheat-import-
ing nation. There never has yet been
an enhanced cost of living due to agri-
cultural decline that did not end in ma
tional disaster
When James J. Hill first forecasted
the new era in wheat, his prophecies
were greeted with boots of derision.
What has happened? Last year one of
the largest wheat crops ever known in
America was harvested. Yet last year
wheat reserves fell so low that wheat had
to be shipped back from East to West;
and for the first time in the history Of
America. during peace, wheat had to be
imported from Argentina. r.
If this unusual condition occurred fol-
lowing one of the largest wheat crops
known, what is going to happen during
a year when the wheat crop is small?
This year, at the time Of writing, it is
predicted that the wheat crop of the
United States will be about $50, 900, 900
bushels, as compared with 740,000,000
bushels last year. Looks as if Hills
predictions were being verified, doesn't
it?
While averages have been shrinking
and population growing, a new world
factor has come into the wheat gamble
the average number of bushels of
wheat used per head by the wheat eat
ers of the world has increased. 1t used
to be four. When Sir Williams Crookes
computed his tables on the wheat eaters
of the world ten years ago, he placed
the average at four and half. Today.
according to Mr.. Hill, it is almost seven.
There are more wheat eaters to-day
than ever before in the world, and these
wheat eaters are using more white bread
than ever before. Formerly, maize was
used in America. black bread in Europe;
and this average of seven bushels does
not take into account the opening wheat
trade to the Orient g - !.. .s1s -, -
THE M1RTH OF WALL STREET. ~
In 1871 there were 81. 600, 900 wheat
eaters in the world using four bushels
a head. In 1901 there were 536, 600, 600
using almost six bushels. In 1910 there
are 600, 900, 600 needing seven bushels
head. Now only three and third bill
lion bushels are raised in all the world.
Here in 1910 is a shortage of billion
bushels. What happens? A shrinking
loaf! High prices! A great many peo-
pie going without their quota of seven
bushels. The cost of living up all
round!
In 1899 Sir William Crookes predicted
just what has happened. People laugh
ed. Crookes was scientist and theor-
ist. Farmers were living who could
tell Crookes of days not so long ago
when wheat went begging at forty and
fifty cents a bushel and it did not pay
to harvest an average crop at that fig
ure. Then Hill, the big, practical man,
began to pipe similar prophecy. The
Street laughed. Wall Street guessed
that Hill wanted more freight to haul.
Wall Street was quite right. He did;
and the hundred million wheat eaters
who can not afford the price for their
seven bushels per head want the same.
To all predictions of a wheat shortage,
of q new era Of high prices in wheat,
two or three stock answers have been
given.
Canada's wheat lands were opening
up. They were limitless, and would
supply the deficiency for centuries.
Between the Rocky Mountains and
the Mississippi lay vast area of semi
arid lands not susceptible to irrigation,
but perfectly fitted for durum wheat
by the new methods of dry farming.
Just as soon as wheat reached dol
lar q bushel, farmers would grow wheat
instead of corn and stock.
At a pinch, if:whipped to it by starva-
tion, Uncle Sam could reform his
methods and by scientific culture grow
three bushels where to-day he is grow
ing, only one.
These are the remedies for the sup
posed deficiency. Meanwhile, the de-
ficiency has arrived: What about the
remedies? \,
Canada's wheat fields may be regard
ed aa the three Western Provir ces-
Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta.
The other Provinces raise wheat, but
not for export. The three Western
Provinces are vast regions, in area each
larger than France; but all the area is
/ not suitable for wheat. None Of Mani
tobias new boundaries. stretching from
Lake Winnipeg to Hudaon Bay, is- suit
able for wheat. Her wheat-growing
area 10 within the old bounds, south and
Ax~rs - RKNf