Norwich bulletin., 1922-03-25

cfent service. One of the interesting features of the export trade in 1921 was the large amount of corn sent abroad, more in
 fact than in any twelve months in the past twenty years Much of 1t
 went to Russia as food for the starv- ing millions in that distressed coun- try; but the rest of Europe apparent l ly took as feed for livestock, whose depleted numbers they are endeavor- ing to restore and for which there is no food like corn. Many years ago | there was a sustained effort on the
 part of corn growers to teach Euro l peans that they were missing some thing when they did not eat corn in all its infinite varieties of food prep Rrations. But 1t was no use. We led i them to the trough but they would not drink, and went on eating rye breadN and pretending that they liked l it.
 | Europe has always drawn on us for food and this situation is accentuat- ed even more than in prewar times because of the elimination of Russia 1 for so long a period. We. seem to for get in all these calculations of a re- 1 habilitated Europe that such an event will work both ways. If it mean 3 an even fiercer competition in other l lines and a consequent falling off in
 some kinds of exports. What we seem
 gradually drifting to, and this drift will become more apparent in a short time, is to find greater markets else 1 where, especially in South America and Asia, particularly for fabricated 1 materials. It requires only a casual
 glance at export figures to note how our previous contact with Cuba Ha- waii, and the Philippines has proved an anchor cast to windward, just as l England's strength in her export trade ! lies in the loyalty of her colonies. i The story of canned goods in fruits and vegetables, illustrates the course of what each line may expect accord ing as it adjusts itself in accord with prevailing conditions. There were huge stocks carried over into 1921 which had to be disposed of at reduced fig ures. This stimulated consumption Then there were smaller yields of both fruits and vegetables in 1921 than in the previous year. So stocks are now below normal for this season of the year. The consequent outlook Is for larger production of fruits and vege- tables this year than last. There pro- babiy will be a large volume Of busi-
 ness in these commodities during the
 looming mon tf1s Also in fruits, since the severe and widespread freezes we
 had last spring do not often. accul
 two years in succession.
 How vast is the volume of business
 in canned goods in vegetables may bt
 gathered from the story of tomatoes
 the love apples of our grandfathers
 then merely g curiosity and negligi
 ble as an edible vegetable. Like mos good things of strictly American ori
 gin, it finally made it's way, and the annual commercial pack varies iron 240 to 800 million cans, exclusive O. those put up by innunerable house wives
 As in canned goods, so in other lines those who have liquidated and offel
 prices which both dealers and consun CTS feel is bottom for the time be ing, are doing. business in fairly gooC i volume.
 Several industrial developments in. ,dicate how misleading generalization may be under present conditions. Ray , wool is up apparently due to the enaer ) gency tariff, and with strong demand while the business in manufa cturet
 .woolen goods is not so satisfactory. Or the other hand in Australia. recen sales of wool were on declining mar , ket. Demand continues slow in most met als. The little boom in copper died
 borning and prices went off some. be . cause of Still too much surplus abov I ground, although it is steadily gettinI 7 less, and there is likelihood of som : increased activity in mining, zinc ha
 much the same fate as copper. Lead i
 mostly standing still. Iron and stee I mills are still running on short tim
 though showing some slight ifcreas
 in production in January. Price 1 weakened somewhat, more particular ly in finished products.