The Breckenridge news. (Cloverport, Ky.) 1876-1955, 1918-01-16


less food, except potatoes, this win
ter than last. Throughout Germany
there Is apparently pretty general
belief that this is true, and wide
spread demand is voiced for an in
crease In the allowance Of potatoes.
In Germany, as in England, the i'm
mediate result of the harvest was a
great increase In the marketing Of po-
tatOes with the consequence that In
many places there were not storage
facilities to take care of them. The
fear is expressed that not inconsider-
able portion of the potato yield will be
wasted, partly because of Overconsump-
ton in the agricultural areas and part
ly from inadequacy of storage facili-
ties. SO from many German authori-'
ties comes the warning that despite
big yield of tubers the coming winter
is likely to see conditions quite az bad
regarding them, and worse as to many
other things than last winter.
ominous Suggestion.
The ominOus suggestion Is made by
some of the German food authorities
that 1t will not do to be too free with
potatoes, because later 1t will be neces-
sary to mix more potato flour with ce-
real flour to stretch the supply. Also
as there was short crop of fodder
throughout the country potatoes are
likely to be required to feed domestic
animals.
The fear Of such an event has caused
widespread demand that more hogs be
slaughtered that they may not require
to be fed with potatoes that the peO-
pie will need. The number of hogs
In the country has been increasing this
year, and the fact gives concern be-
cause the pig is an active competitor
of munition worker or anybody else
in the matter Of food requirements.
German authorities have determined
that beyond providing moderate meat
ration the transmutation Of vegetable
into animal food is dangerously
wasteful process. So there is an effort
to induce farmers and village dwell
crs to restrict the number of hogs
and cattle to the point where 1t will
be just possible to raise the absolutely
necessary meat ration.
The relation of the general economic
breakdown to agriculture is indicated
in both England and Germany by mat
tiers affecting the supply Of agricultural
machinery. In Germany there is a
most serious shortage of all kinds of
agricultural tools and machines. be-
cause the old ones have worn out and
there Is neither metal nor manufacture
ing capacity to provide new ones.
In England the complaint particular
ly concerns the supply of motor plows.
The government long ago promised
that thousands Of these would be fur
nished in time to put q greatly in
creased acreage in cereals under cult
walton in 1918. Now when the fall
blowing season is on 1t develops that
want of shipping or other reasons have
prevented the delivery of anything like
an adequate number Of these ma
chimes.
A Dresden physician who is quoted
as an authority, has recently dis
cussed the German food situation as
regards the requirements and supplies
of various classes of consumers. He
finds that children up to eight
years of age are receiving a reason
ably satisfactory ration, but the
amount allowed to those from eight to
eighteen is utterly insufficient and that
the shortage seriously threatens the
physical vitality Of the next genera
ton.
Some Of the German jurisdictions
have recently announced that newly
married couples will be. granted a
double food allowance for the first six
weeks of their married life! Else
where provision has been made to
double the food allowances Of nursing
and expectant mothers.
Two Fodder Discoveries.
The effort to find fodder for animals
has started the professors on many
investigations and inquiries. Doctor
Degen, director of the seed testing sta
ton In Budapest, claims to have dis
covered two valuable articles Of fod-
der. He writes:
"The searush (Bolboschaenus mari
timus) was known, as regards the part
above ground, as fodder equal In
value to straw. Recent experiments
have, however, shown that the tubers
growing on the roots underground are
far more valuable. They come very
near to the horse chestnut in the
amount of raw protein, raw fat and
starch contents, without the bitterness.
If they are used for the manufacture
of spirits the wash, either wet or
dried. can also be used for fodder.
"The pond bullrush (Schaenoplec-
tus .lacustris) also contains a valu-
able underground organ. The horizon
tai roots, containing great quantity
of starch, form good concentrated
fodder. If used in dlstilleries the
wash Is not so valuable as that from
the searush. But In time of need
1t is a raw material that can be used
for various purposes"