The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1917-11-10
Il: Finance, Real Estate Insurance
of Finance
FOOD SUPPLIES

The most vital factor in the eco
nomic situation is recognized to be
food supplies, and the outlook mas
been greatly improved by the assur-
ance Of an immense corn crop. All
uf the grains, except wheat. are above
the, average of the last five years. Su-
gar beets, potatoes, onions, Deans
cabbages, and vegetables generally
are above the yields of any previous
year. The product of the CONNER
cial canneries is larger than ever be-
fore. and the amount of family can
ming and drying Is estimated to be
several times that of any previous
year The garden movement has
been a success, and it has been very
important factor in the solution or
THE food problem. All of the organ
Nations for promoting the movement
should be kept alive for next year, and
4 should plan now for more effective
work next year.
The apple crop is 176,620.000 bu-
shells, as compared with 202,245,ooo
in 1916 and 215,572,000. the five year
average. The hay crop is s1.715,o 900
tons. as compared with 109, 786,O0O
tons In 1915, and S6,5S7,000, the five
year average. The falling off in hay
il In part, IL not fully, made good by
great supplies of fodder.
So far as grain and vegetables are
concerned, this country is well sup
piled, and should be able to cut down
wheat consumption in order to supply
it's allies who are obliged to look
largely to this country and Canada
The apartment Of Agriculture esti-
mates our production at 659,797,OOO.
and our normal consumption plus
seed requirements at 637 ,082,00O- Es-
tinAating 10 per cent. reduction OF
consumption, it calculates the avail
able surplus at 77,696,000 bushels
THE Canadian surplus is estimated at
about 100000, 900 bushels. The re-
3 quired imports of the allies and neu-
trails are estimated at 450,0G0.0OO to
AGO. 10000 bushels.
@Faporable news comes from Argen-
tina. where the wheat harvest Is
about to begin in the northern states
The total yield of the country Is esti-
mated at 100000 tons. or about
2eo. 900. 900 bushels, which would be
a record production. The maximum
domestic requirement for food and
seed would leave at least 150, 900, 900
bushels for export. Australia and In
dia have large stores of wheat from
the last crop, and another crop COM
ing on CURING our -WAuIol Sooooii' Dus
unfortunately they are SO 1ar away
that with the present scarcity Oh snips
these supplies are almost unaVailapie.
Argentina Is nearer put II Is IaTtn
AWAY than the United States' anu lnis
country and Canada are the chieI re-
lance
The very high prices rnat nave rui-
ed for corn during the past summer
and the loss OF pasturage ana nay IA
sections affected py orousnI- nave
caused great numbers OF cattie 10 oe
forced to market Tney nave Deen
bought hperaiy py the lar ners Oh lne
mfdie west, put siaugnterihs. mas peen
at nign rate. oiIlciai iisures VI
animals slaughtered under govern
ment inspection IN the ilrst seven
months or this year, snow tha' noss
fell off over S,0Oo,ooo mead ana sneep
100000 head. put cattie Incl -
2 100000 These flgures 90 not take ac-
count OF the lact that the averase
weight of animals was less than usual
The high prices OF all grains TOT the
last year have been ADVERSE TO I'VE
stock ana dairy productlon. II mas
paid better to sell corn tnan 10 Ieeo ~
to animals, ana In truth Wnen 1000 Is
scarce 1t Is better economy TOT human
being to eat the grains tnan 10 make
meat with them certain amount OF
meats. and particularly rats, are now
ever, required, human habits are not
readily changed, and In the long run
the farmers VINO stick TO meat pro-
duction are likely to rare petter tnan
shrtft at sacrifice TO grain harm-
ing.