THE WORLD'S FOOD PROBLEM 



The most important problem in the world to-day is the 

 future food supply and in this the potato is an important 

 factor. President W. C. Brown of the New York Central 

 Lines has made a very careful study of the agricultural 

 situation all over the world, both as it concerns the pro- 

 ducer and consumer. So valuable are his ideas considered that 

 the following very copious extracts are made from his address 

 at the annual banquet of the Rochester (New York) Chamber 

 of Commerce, March 18, 1910: 



" We hear much of the subject of the conservation of our 

 natural resources, and it is well that this most important 

 subject should have the most careful consideration. 



"I have thought, however, that about 90 per cent, of the 

 discussion of this important question has been directed to 

 about 10 per cent, of our natural resources. 



" Husband our coal as we will, economize in its use to the last 

 limit, but the day will come when the last ton will be mined 

 and nothing will remain but the empty holes in the ground. 



"The same is true of all the products of our mines; but the 

 fertility of the soil cannot only be maintained, but con- 

 stantly augmented, and it must be, if this nation or any 

 other nation on the face of the earth is to continue to exist. 



"Broadly stated, the great increase in the cost of living 

 is caused by the simple economic fact that consumption is 

 rapidly overtaking production, and a careful analysis of the 

 increased price of farm products, as compared with the in- 

 crease in price of the products of manufacture, will suggest 

 the wondering inquiry how it has been possible to make the 

 reductions, or to maintain the unchanged or slightly increased 

 prices of the latter, while the prices of the former have been 

 moving upward so rapidly. 



"These figures show conclusively that, in spite of the fact 

 that the great increase in cost of these prime necessaries of 

 life has increased the cost of labor more on the average than 

 33 per cent., these great manufacturing companies have been 



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