New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-12-16
NO FAMINE IN IRELAND
Some Facts Tending to Refute Recent
Rumor of Crop Shortage

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: Considerable space is being daily abb
sorbed by a section Of the American press
pointing out the fact that Ireland is fast
approaching a famine, owing to, as all arti-
cles point out, the complete failure of the
potato crop Of 1916. It should be borne In
mind that while the potato crop provides in
q considerable measure the diet Of the
Irish people nobody can be foolish enough
to believe that though the crop of 1916
should completely fail the country would be
forced into a state Of famine.
Happening to be in more or less touch
with the agricultural affairs OF the Green
Isle. am reliably informed from official and
ether trustworthy sources that though Ire
land is no different from every other coun-
try in the shortness of its potato supply,
neither the quantity nor quality Of the tuber
is seriously behind the product Of other
years. In County Waterford, for instance,
the yield is held TO be Of even better quality
and Of larger amount than last year, which
was an average crop.
1t may be said however, that the present
market price of potatoes in the Dublin mar
ket goes TO belle the statement have just
made. Let us examine the facts Early in
the spring the Irish people were urged to
plant potatoes and other foodstuffs in greater
acreage than ever before Holders of small
farms, as well as residents in cities and
towns, were particularly exhorted by the
clergy and the press that whenever possible
every rod Of idle land should be set to yield
the necessities Of life. Heed was taken of
the warning. with the result that every
available square yard of lawn or garden was
cut up 10 make room for potatoes, cabbages,
etc.
But il may he said that the existing price
of II shillings per III pounds indicates a
shortage. Yes, II does, shortage at the
market. for when the farmer who usually laid
down ten or more acres in potatoes saw the
fower-knots or the lawns Of the townsfolk
prepared for potatoes he turned his atten-
tion to planting other crops to take the
Vace Of the potato.
And how are the prices on other farm
products IN Ireland? Pigs form one of the
biggest assets for the Irish people. of whom
70 per cent live directly of the land The
average price of pigs for 1916 is two and a
half times the average price for ten years
and from the official figures furnished to me
the production of this form of produce has
increased by D! per cent for the first nine
months OF this year compared with 1915.
Butter is an important asset 70 the farm
ing community OF Ireland and from an ex-
animation Of reliable figures can state with
authority that while the supply from Irish
farms has gone up by almost 30 per cent the
price has likewise advanced more than 100
Ger cent.
Milk, cream and eggs have likewise ad-
vanced in price and production, and the Irish
farmer to-day can get as much for COW as
Nc would formerly>receiye for a racehorse.
Oats-and nobody questions the success OF
that crop-are selling to-day at 10 shillings
10 pence per barrel, as against shilings
n 7 shiliings-o of former years
Everything else in proportion. The labor
market abounds with calls for men and
women OF all ages. Money was never so
plentiful. and you have as much excuse for
saying that owing to the present high prices
"a America we are nearing "A famine A. 10 say
Mat Ireland Is on the verge OF that scourgc.
JOSEPH p. COLLINS.
New York. Dee. 8. 1916.