Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1918-11-21
Food After the War.

Among the undeniable benefits tif
the war has conferred upon the world
the awakening of peoples and goverl
ments to the importance OF the fot
problem. What the economically d
pendent nations know now they kne
before but either because they cou
not take the requisite measures for the
own protection or because they trusts
TO luck, not one Of them had safeguar,
ed itself against the future. They a
now suffering the consequences
their failure.
In the years OF plenty Joseph
Egypt had the good sense to lay in
stock of wheat against the coming yea
Of dearth. Even Germany, boasted !
its foresight and efficiency, had
Joseph; or il il had one, il was a Josef
that confined his craftsmanship TO q
cumulating guns and ammunition at
boots and shoes rather than grain. N
had Great Britain a statesman DO
enough 10 act upon the frequent urgin
OF far sighted students Of the food que
tion that great stores Of foodstuffs
established while supplies could |
obtained. Nothing except the Britt
command of the seas has saved the pc
pie OF the British Isles from a choi
between starvation and surrender.
IL is unlikely that the lesson OF Il
last four years has been lost upon Il
ruling powers OF Europe. In eve
country that has TO import grain al
meat We shall see measures to establiy
and to fill granaries and storehouses
protection against bad harvests al
foreign enemies. Germany would ha,
saved its people from great hardship
and misery If il had adopted that cour|
Great Britain need not have feared a
serious disaster from the U'boat, II
had not been dependent upon han
TO mouth supply Of food from abroad.
In order to carry out plans TO accul
ulate food in the countries that produ
too little there must be an increase
production everywhere. In nornI
times the supply Of grains and mes
the world over is only little more th5
the amount consumed. A widespreI
policy OF accumulation without an
crease OF supply would derange all Il
markets of the world and might bril-
about such an unequal distribution
supplies as would threaten famine
large districts. Consequently eve
country will try 10 increase the cri
areas and 10 cultivate them more
tensively.
Not only that There must be bett
as we'll as larger crops-bettcr
quality, because more nutritive, and az
better because they give larger yid
to the acre. The work OF creating a
introducing the varieties that will me
those requirements is already going 4
We hear something OF the share Il
our own Department OF Agricultt
has in il, but little Of what Is being do
abroad. The government OF India. wht
the food question Is always acute,
made great progress in improving bt
the quality and the yield OF wheat.
has produced one variety that In sol
places has given the astonishing amot
Of fifty-hve bushels TO the acre ana
has brought a higher price a bushef
the farmer than ordinary grain.
success with rice has been scarcely lc
No one can tell just what the req
will be when every country Is trying
safeguard itself In the matter OF fo'
either by increasing its own product
or by drawing from other lands lart
amounts than are needed for immcdt
consumption. But one thing Is ocrtsl
the farmer will still be the very corr
stone OF the nation.