The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1917-05-16
JUST ENOUGH WHEAT
TO FEED AMERICANS.

None to Spare Allies Unless United
\ States Cuts Its Bread
Consumption. 4.
Washington, May 11.-Ofricial
day show that with the world facing
a bread shortage, the United States,t
unless it cuts its present consump6on
probably will produce only enough
wheat thiS year to supply its own
population. ~
The forecast compiled by the de-.
partment Of agriculture on conditions
May / put this country's winter.
wheat yield at 366, 100000 bushels
the smallest in thirteen years. There
will be no estimate Of spring wheat
acreage until July, but with q crop
Of 100000 bushels, which =
higher than the average, this coun-
try would grow this year . total of
only 100000 bushels. The nor.
NAL American consumption with seed
requirements is put at slightly more
than 900, 100000 bushels.
| Big Shortage.
The country's great spring wheat
crop was 352,000,000 bushels, prs
duced in 1915. The fve-year avsrc
age from 1910 to 1914 is 234, ,0005
600. The estimated production til
year of 366, 100000 bushels of win-
ter wheat falls 16,000,000 bushels
short of last years poor crop, and
30S, 100000 below that of 1915, q.
bumper crop. It is 129, 100000 short
of the average for the preceding five
years. ...
Reserve Stocks Lower.
Reserve stocks this year are said
to be lower than at any previous time
at this season. The visible supply i
put low at 10000, 900 bushels with
somewhat larger invisible stock.
The lowest visible stocks ever report
ed in the United States were six mil
lion on July I, two years ago. When
harvesting the new crop begins IN
July of this year, it is estimated that
the reserve will be even lower than
that.
Allies Requirements.
The Allies wheat requirements for,
the coming year are put at 500,000,-
900 bushels as q minimum.
The United States will be asked to.
supply more than half that amount
Wheat crops in other parts Of the
world are poor. The Argentine crop
failed and home consumption will re-
quire the entire yield.
Canada's production is confined
chiefly to a spring crop Of normally
about 200,000,000 bushels, much OF
which is available for export.
Exports Heavy.
Since the war began America has
exported to Europe vast quantities
of wheat, reaching a high mark OF
332, 100000 bushels in 1915. Last
year the total fell to 100000
bushels. Before the war it was .
little less than 100,000,000 bushels.
In q statement accompanying lts
report today the agricultural depart
ment declared that although the WIN
ter wheat crop condition is the poor
est on record, crop conditions otner-
wise are favorable.
The extent of plowing and plant
ing done by May 1, the statement
said, was above the average. In
1912 the winter wheat crop fell be-
low 400, 900 buhels, the lowest since
1904, but Notwithstanding this low
production of winter wheat, tha
spring wheat crop and total produe-.
ton Of all crops in that year was tho
largest on record. -
The department is making every
effort to educate the American peo-.
pie to q greater use Of corn meal for
bread. Corn is Americas big crop.
but except in the South it never has
supplanted wheat for bread. Do
partment officials believe Ameriea
must turn to corn to relieve wheat
shipment abroad if the Allies are to
be fed and Germany is to be de-
feated.
Hoovsr's Recommendation.
Herbert C.. Hoover, chairman OF
the committee Of the Council Of Ma
tional Defense, who is strongly IN
favor Of q more limited use Of wheat
in this country, appeared before tho
Senate agricultural committee today
and urged q separate department OF
the government to deal with the food
question. He recommended absolute
control Of certain staples, particular
ly grain and sugar. He asked prompt
action on the administration's food
bills and pointed to the Allied food
troubles as proof of the necessity for
taking hold of the situation early m
the war.
In Wheat States.
Condition and estimated produc-
ton in important wheat producing
states follow:
State Condition. Productlon
Ohio ------ 83 29,198,0UO
Indiana --- SO 23,040,OO0
Illinois --- "a 1887 900
lr.-. cI 100 nm