Notes. 



81 



class of lime and its application are dealt with in tlie repoil, as well 

 as other matters affecting its use in agricultural production. Alto- 

 gether, the report is of much importance and interest, and brings to 

 the fore the existence in the Union of a mineral which, with other 

 so-called " base metals." is worthy of attention. 



Shortage of Foodstuffs and Raw Materials. 



The world's shortage of foodstuff's and raw materials creates a 

 great opportunity for South African agricultural enterprise. 



In analysing the situation in Europe, Mr. Henry Hoover, the 

 United States Food Administrator, estimates that the population of 

 Europe is at least 100,000,000 greater than can be supported without 

 imports. In order to pay for these imports they must live by the pro- 

 duction and distribution of their exports, and the situation is aggra- 

 vated not only by lack of imported raw materials but by low production 

 of European raw materials. Generally, in production, Europe is far 

 below her requirements to maintain life and health and unparalleled 

 importation is needed to meet the deficiency. Mr. Hoover states 

 " unless productivity can be rapidly increased Ihere can be nothing 

 but political, moral, and economic chaos " ; and, further, " The entire 

 surplus productivity of the Western Hemisphere is totally incapable 

 of meeting the present deficiency in European production if it is long 

 continued." The only solution of the problem lies in increased 

 production and at the maximum individual effort. 



In view of the great shortage the following figures of produciion 

 in the Northern Hemisphere are extracted from the last Bulletin 

 received, at the time of writing, from the International -Institute of 

 Agriculture, Rome (No. 12. December, 1919). These figures include 

 most of the principal producing areas in the Northern Hemisphere, but 

 some countries, especially in Europe, have not furnished statistics, 

 and, of course, are not included. 



Yield of certain of the Northern Hemisphere Crops, 1919. 

 (Note.— 1 quintal = 220 lb.) 



