The Lancaster news. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1905-current, 1917-04-10


no less authentic observation of
Richard III. Edmonds, editor and gen.
eral manager OF The Manufacturers
Record, Baltimore. Mr.. Edmonds
was for many years a grain statisti-
clan and he bases his conclusions not
only on paralysed agricultural pro-
ductivity in war ridden Europe but
on the greatly decreased crop yields
In neutral territory last year.
An abrupt termination of the war
would not materially affect the sta
tus of the food question he thinks.
The warning countries are practically
on hunger strike" and upon ces-
sation Of hostilities shipments of first
food will be greatly increased. Their
act will be to fill up" he says. He
entertains little prospects of the
wars ending within the next 12
months BY that time, his opinion is
present prices for foodstuffs will
seem exceedingly low, in compari-
son. He confidently expects wheat to
advance to $3.50 a bushel and -four
to SIS barrel. The stock Of wheat
on the farm is now 7O0,OOO,0O0 Of
bushels below that Of one year ago,
the wheat crop in the United States
last year being reduced by approxi-
mately 45 per cent. A similar con-
dition prevails, he pointed out, in
every country which produces nor
mally a surplus food supply. The
calculated reduction last year in
grain and other food crops approx
mates 13 bushels per capita for every
man, woman and child in the United
States.
Cultivate Back Yards.
Meat shortage he says will be
equally distressing. The available
supply of live stock now is not in ex-
cess of that of 10 years ago. In the
meantime the population of the
country has been increased by co.
100000 and the consumption inten-
sified by the higher wages paid
workingmen and the enlarged vol
ume Of skilled workers Cultivating
back yards to increase the food sup
ply is patriotic duty. Mr.. Edmonds
says, and "The country expects every
man to do his duty in providing food
stuffs." Too much cotton for the
worlds demand may be produced
this year, but 1t will be impossible to
produce enough food. It will be
criminal for any farmer not to raise
this year at least enough food for his
own consumption.
Mr.. and Mrs. Edmonds and their
sister, Miss Edmonds, have been
guests at the Jefferson two days.
They are returning to their home in
Baltimore, having spent the winter
in Florida. They are accompanied
by Mr.. >Edmonds' secretary, Howard
l.. Clark, Mrs. Clark and their son,
Edwin l.. Clark.
Food Famine Immediate.
In discussing the food shortage.
Mr.. Edmonds said yesterday:
"The world is more nearly facing
a food famine than any other time,
certainly within the last leo years.
Even had the neutral countries, in
cluding the United States, produced
large crops last year, the world
would still be short OF food supplies,
because 40,0OO.0O0 men are under
arms in Europe or engaged in some
phase of war activity. But regard
less of the war and this shortage OF
agricultural production in Europe by
reason OF 1t, there was last year a
worldwide shortage in crops. 1t was
indeed the most disastrous crop year
in this country for the last so years.
The wheat crop OF 1915 OF consider
ably over 1,000,000,000 bushels
dropped last year to about 550.000,-
600 bushels, or decrease OF about
As per cent. The decrease in corn,
oats and barley was also very heavy;
while the potato crop was the short
est for many years. The aggregate
decrease in grain and the other food
crops last year amounted to 1875
600, 900 of bushels or an aggregate OF
13 bushels per capita for every man.
woman and child in the United
States. The full force OF this can be
better understood when II is remem
bered that the entire consumption
OF wheat for food in this country
averages only about five bushels per