FOOD SUPPLY 149 



In addition to the above there is a consump- 

 tion of meat from animals slaughtered, and of 

 numerous minor foods and drinks. Only half the 

 total quantity of potatoes grown is entered as 

 food, the other half being presumably used as 

 food for swine. Assuming that the figures given 

 fairly represent the case, the food grown or 

 raised in Great Britain is about two-fifths of her 

 whole consumption ; that is, she now feeds 

 herself for nearly five months out of twelve. 



The average potato crop of Great Britain is 

 at the rate of six tons to the acre. There is no 

 reason why this average should not be advanced 

 to eight tons. If the best kinds were planted, 

 the method adopted best calculated to utilise 

 every gleam of sunshine, and the most suitable 

 fertilisers used, then the general production of 

 eight tons to the acre is a mere question ot 

 labour. The whole of the potatoes thus raised 

 would make good food, and much-relished food, 

 if only cooked in the best way. Let it be sup- 

 posed that by this means home-grown food is 

 increased by one million tons. The growing 

 of onions being solely a matter of applying 

 sufficient labour in the right way, there is no 

 occasion for Great Britain to import a single 

 onion. 



No vegetable is perhaps so easy to grow as 

 beetroot, and in no other case does the gardener 

 take so little risk as he does when he grows beet. 

 It is not supposed there is any doubt in the 

 minds of those who have for years grown this 

 root as to what Great Britain might do in the 

 10* 



