The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-08-14
What France Needs

Though working under many disadvan- tages, including a shortage of horses ana oxen, France is gradually re-establishing a substantial agriculture as one of the first steps in general reconstruction.
 There is a serious need for dairy cattle. and a decided shortage of both sheep and swine. Prices of good breeding stock in all classes of domestic animals are high, in some instances three or four times their value before the war.
 The foregoing conditions are described in a report on the live stock, dairy and meat situation in France received by the United States department of agriculture from it's two European representatives, George A. Bell of the bureau of animal industry. and Turner Wright of the bu- reau of markets. These men are jointly studying live stock in Europe, so that the United States department of agricul- ture and farmers in this country may keep closely in touch with international developments in supply and demand
 According to the report, the general policy of the French government IS to encourage the establishment and build ing up of French industries. This policy necessarily discourages importations from foreign countries and is aimed to main tain the exchange value of the franc But at least until it's agricultural resources are greatly improved France will import meat and dairy products and a conslo- erable number of live animals.
 Observations of the departments repre- sentatiyes in France include many facts of interest to producers of live stock and dairy products in the United States.
 COWS AS WORK ANIMALS
 Cattle, both oxen and cows are being used extensively for work purposes, espe- cially in the central and southern sec tions In one district the number of cows used for work was twice as great as the number of both oxen and horses. The cows work in yokes, and those used for hauling are used also for breeding pur- poses. In many instances they are also milked.
 There is general shortage of horse power for farm work, but army horses and mules are gradually being sold Tor civilian purposes, and 1t is estimated that eventually about S00,000 will be re- turned from the various armies. Tne farm tractor is also being used to great CT extent than before the war.
 INCREASE IN YOUNG CATTLE
 French farmers already have taken steps to increase the meat and milk sup ply, as evidenced by the large numbers of young animals seen on many farms visited in various parts Of France striking feature of the cattle situation was the large number of calves and heifers on farms of peasants as well as on those of the large landowners. Most of the animals were in good flesh. Tn many sections there is a larger percent age of grass land than before the war, due chiefly to the shortage of labor neces- sary to care for cultivating crops. The extra pasturage is expected to improve live stock conditions by furnishing grass for this summer, and some of the adol- ticnal grass land will provide more than the usual amount of hay for winter use Grain is not fed so extensively to cattle iu France as in the United States and consequently does not play such an in1- nortant part in the production of cattle and dairy products.
 CONTINUED DECREASE IN SHEEP The number of sheep in France was decreasing from year to year even before the war and during the last five years the number fell from about sixteen million to nine and one-half million. This aver age decline of more than a million sheep year is about four times as fast as in prewar years. s
 The slaughter of sheep at a principal abattoir in Paris was less in 1918 than in 1917, however, and available figures for 1919 show that the slaughter this year is only about half that of last year. Such a. condition indicates either that farmers are holding their sheep, notwithstanding the prevailing high prices or else that flocks are nearly exhausted. The latter conclusion, however, seems improbable since the last estimate in June, 1918, gave the total as about nine and one-half mil lion.
 PORK PRODUCTION
 Inc decrease in the number of swine during the first two years of the war be- came more gradual after 191s, and now apparently has stopped. A continuation of present high prices. combined with good grain and potato crops, according to the report, would stimulate production of swine.
 Hogs at market and also on farms were thinner in flesh than most hogs usually seen in the United States The hogs Of France are of a bacon type since fat hogs do not meet the popular demand, vet it appears that pork production has been handicapped through shortage of grain and potatoes. The shortage Of feed also has caused the marketing Of pigs at a lighter weight than usual As in the case of sheep. the slaughter of hogs this year is considerably less than the corresponding period of 1918, indicating that farmer are building up their herds.
 CHICKENS IN FRANCE
 Although casual observation in many parts of France indicate that the number of chickens per capita was at least as plentiful as in the United States, there was a general complaint of scarcity. Dressed chickens of average size were re- taiing in the spring at prices equivalent fin American currency to about 5 apiece, and eggs from 70 cents to more than Sl . dozen.