Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-05-08
The Demand for Food AnimaIS

In a bulletin of the State College of Ag-
ricuture Dr. Andrew NJ. Soule strikingly sets forth
the need of greatly increased production of live
stock. During the past six years. he points out,
the number of beef cattle in the South has de-
creased seven hundred and ninety thousand, and
there has been a proportionate falling off in the
number of sheep. During the same period the
country's population has grown at least ten mill
lion. The situation thus arising would be unfor-
tunate in any circumstances but it is peculiarly
at time when the winning of the greatest war in
history depends very largely Americas ability
to feed herself and her allies.
No thoughtful observer will venture to say how
long this war will last; officials of Govern
ment we'll those of England and France recg-
nize the possibility of its continuing three years
or, in certain contingencies, six years.
We dare not assume that our responsibilities
will be over. In the production of foodstuffs
well in the raising of armies, must prepare
to the longest and heaviest tasks that can be
laid upon us.
But the Importance of raising all the food crops
and food animals resources make possible
would not be lessened, far the producers in
terests concerned, even if the war should end
next month or next week. For many seasons and
many years to come, the world whether tranquil
turbulent. will look largely to America for food
supplies The food reserves of all Christendom
are virtually exhausted and many harvest moon
must round before they fully replenished.
This is true of nearly all staples but especially
is it true of meat. Long before the outbreak of
the present war there was a pronounced shortage
in the worlds meat supply. In the United States
it has been more than a generation since the in
crease in food animals kept pace with the growth
in population, and there have been long periods
during which the decline in the number of food
animals absolute we'll as relative To a
greater less extent, this has been the case in
other countries, so that regardless of the the
world trend toward serious dearth in the
supply of meat The past three years of course
have heightened the problem incalculably. The
greater part of Europe has been diverted almost
entirely from live stock raising, and neutral coun-
tries like Holland and the Scandinavian lands have
been drained of their food animals to serve the
beIligerents. Thus when peace returns Europe will
have to begin largely at the beginning in reestab-
fishing its live stock industries and it will depend
largely the United States to supply its enormous
needs
Evidently then the market for beef and dairy
cattle and for hogs and sheep will continue ex-
ceedingly favorable to producers for years after
peace is restored. Southern farmers take no risk
when they enter upon live stock raising provided
of they employ efficient methods That
Georgia farmers awakening to the rich oppor-
tunties of this industry is evidenced by the fact
that while the number of beef and dairy cattle for
the South whole has decreased during the past
six years in this State there has been an increase
of two and two-tenths per CEN; and the increase
in swine in Georgia is forty-fve per cent These
are cheering omens, but our resources for animal
husbandry yet at the first. faint beginning
of their development. For every pound of beef and
pork which Georgia now produces it can produce
ten thousand pounds and still be only at the thres
hold of its vast opportunities The war needs of
our country should impel every farmer to do his
utmost in live stock raising now, and the worlds
needs long after the is over will assure him
steady and abundant rewards for his efforts
Meeting President Wilson and seeing the posi-
bties of America in the limited territory
between Washington and Chicago the French COM
mission must be astounded at Germany's nerve in
antaRonizing the United States