Evening star., 1942-10-24
Of Sturs, Men
And Atoms
Notebook Of Science Progress
In Laboratory. Field
And Study
By Thomas r. Henry.

WltH tne DlRgeSt appetlCeS anu Cne let-
test purses in history, the American
people may find their pantry shelves
somewhat depleted of major foods in
1943.
Department of Agriculture experts
have just completed a forecast of what
may be expected. 1t assumes a reason
ably good crop year, although not nee
essarily as good as 1912, which stands
out as one of the banner years Of all
time on this continent. 1t also assumes
that threatened farm labor crisis Is
satisfactorily met.
The United States always has been the
worlds biggest meat-eating Nation. Last
year total Of about $4,000 ,000 900
pounds was produced-about twice as
much as during the average year from
1885 to 1889. About fifth Of 1t will go
to the Army and Navy and to Great
Britain.
This means that there will be about
1877 pounds-bones, fat and all-for each
civilian. This is about five pounds less
than was consumed in 1941 but eleven
pounds more than during each of the
five preceding years. There will be eight
pounds less of pork for everybody and
about four pounds more beef, with about
the same amount of veal, lamb and
mutton. Much Of the 1912 meat now is
coming on the market.
The prospect would not be so bad, the
Department Of Agriculture statisticians
explain, If 1t could be assumed that the
demand for meat would remain stable.
Experience In the past has shown. how
ever, that whenever a family's income
increases-within the middle brackets
Its meat consumption goes up. With
practically universal employment at fair
ly high wages and with very little for
which to spend the additional money,
1t Is estimated that everybody has had
about 80 per cent more ready cash this
year than last. and that even with taxes
there will be a still larger increase next
year. fair part Of this ordinarily
would go for more meat, with the result
that market shelves would be emptied
rapidly unless carefully restricted. This
is the essential reason for proposed meat
rationing
In addition, the statistcians point out,
the people are working harder and are
hungrier. The overall meat production
is expected to be about two billion pounds
greater in l943, but this will hardly bal
ance the increased demands.
The fish supply doubtless will be de-
pleted. 1t was about two billion pounds
this year. II per cent less than last year.
There may be a greater decline in 1943,
because of fishing restrictions. A good
part Of all canned fish will go to the
Army and Great Britain. There is
possibility, it is pointed out. that the
deficiency may be made up in part by
utilization of species Of fish which are
perfectly good to eat but which now are
thrown away.
Probably there will be enough eggs.
but they will be expensive. This year
the production was close to seven billion
pounds. Assuming the production to re-
main steady, this means an average Of
about 40 pounds per person. Actually
production is expected to increase about
half billion pounds in 1943-but this
hardly will keep up with increased de-
mands due to increased incomes.
The supply of chickens-suficien for
an average consumption of about %
pounds this year-is expected to in
crease slightly, but because of increased
purchasing power and the tight meat
situation 1t is expected that the demand
next year will be greater than the pos
sible supply.
This year the country produced about
l20 900 100000 pounds of milk. A great
deal goes to the armed forces and to
Great Britain. Little hope is held out
Of increasing the production in 1s43.
Although there are more mich cows at
present, the labor situation indicates that
there may be decrease.
"If the prices of dairy products are
frozen at present levels" says the De-
partment Of Agriculture report. "it is
assumed that the consumer will ask from
to 10 per cent more than will be avail
able"
The civilian supply of fresh vegetables
is expected to be slightly larger in 1943
Supplies of canned vegetables will remain
about the same or decrease slightly be-
cause Of heavy demands from the services.
There Is some prospect that l943 produc-
ton Of most vegetables will decline be-
cause of the labor situation
There will be slightly greater potato
supply because of the large stocks being
carried over, but actual production in
| 1943 is apt to decline. Before the end of
the year. especially if 1t is not a good
potato season, there may be some slight
| shortage.
There is likely to be a record orange
crop, with a decline of about per cent
in such fruits as apples. pears, cherries,
ect. However, there probably will be
less fresh fruit available in the markets
because of the large amounts which must
be canned. The supply of fruits in all
forms, it is estimated, will be consider
ably less for the average civilian.
The brightest prospect is for cereal
supplies. The supply Of wheat is practi-
cally unlimited. Stocks on hand next
January, it is estimated, will be about a
billion bushels-suffcien for all possible
needs even if the 1943 crop falls below
al