The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-08-22

vii starve out the Germans or the
German submarines may stop the inn
portat.on OF food and war supplies to
the Allies.
Secretary Houston OF the Depart
ment OF Agriculture said last week
that at the present time the farmers
part in internationa. APP
proximates $4,000. 600. 900 annually.
So. whether in war times or in peace
ful days, there is no doubt that
agriculture Is not only the biggest
business but Il is the real employer
~ the world. And OF this big inter-
nctional commerce cotton Is king:
wHeat is queen: wool and hides stand
for the crown prince; coffee and sugar
for the princess; while lesser titled
members OF the international agricul-
tural family are rice. barley. corn.
tohaCcO, butter. tea. rye, oats-in
preferential order as established by
commercial exchange.
America, in large part, is feeding the
var, which means n great part or
Europe. Secretary OF Commerce Red
field has issued from Washington a
bGl.et.n showing the enormous gains
IN food exports since the European war
boran. In 1914 the value of breadstuffs
exports during March from the United
States was about 5000, 900, whereas
n March Of the present year this had
grown in value to near.y 100000 600,
In the eleven months ended June I,
1875. the value of our hreadstuffs ex-
ports was s529. S3S.753. more thar
three and one-half times greater thar
for this period the year before.
Our exports OF meat and dairy
products in the same eleven months
increased from $l22 ,991 .077 TO Sl73.-
46i,jSS, In grain exports the most
astounding increase is noted. Europe
preferred to grind her own wheat
rather than to purchase our -four. For
the eleven months ended June l, 1915
as compared with the preceding period
the value of corn exports increased
from 1891 ,236 to s34.542, 492; oats in
creased from s64l $50 10 S5l $50, s95
or 500 per cent. and wheat ran NJ
from sS0,S23,04l 10 $3l9,96 $40, an in
crease of nearly 400 per cent. Canned
beef expectations show another tre'
mendous increase from s42i 375 fol
the period 10 SO, 70S. 547 for the 1871;
period, and our fresh beef exports
grew in the same time from SLOTS!
10 Sl5,363, go, We exported to Europe
during the eleven months ended June
~foodstuffs valued at $4,000, 900.
These figures may explain why tn
market basket at home scars high
buoyed by the war eagles wings! w,
have had to import meat and dairy
products INTO the United States durini
the past year of three times the valu'
of the preceding year n seven time
greater than in 1905.
Beef raising in Europe is at a low
b and the soldiers are getting thei
food in tins. Germany recent!
ordered the slaughtering Of pigs, no
only that meat may be supplied TO he
people but primarily to conserve 10
humans food that the swine otherwis
would consume, Europe has boush
little cotton during the past ST.
months. TO the vital regret OF GA
Southern States. which believe, how
ever, that the demand for cotton wi
be great when this cruel war Is over.
Is IL for the reason that lights ar
not permitted at night abroad In N
vicinity cf possible aeroplane attacks
or Is It because The men have lei
their homes and gone To h battl
front that Illuminating oils are not /
great demand and their export
Europe has decreased? on the othe
hand, gasoiehe shows an increase !
tho export list, presumably for use !
gasolene tractors and automobiles O
the war front.
IN spite of the United States eN