CONSERVING OUR FOOD SUPPLY 



407 



It has been pointed out that in England an entire ship, 

 complete from keel to steering wheel, could now be 

 turned out by women, without one particle of assistance 

 from men. The women of Europe have gone much far- 

 ther than the women of America in performing all kinds 

 of service. As the war progresses and as big gaps are 

 created in the industrial ranks by the draft and other 

 causes, it is inevitable that the women of the United 

 States will be called on more and more to take up duties 

 which hitherto have been assigned solely to men. In- 



continue a most valuable and essential war work 

 at home. That is in the conservation of food. It is not 

 necessary to point out the importance of this service- 

 That is realized by everybody. Food is the foundation 

 upon which all other activities rest. 



And the supply cannot be too great. An editorial in a 

 recent issue of a Parisian daily said : "It is a fact that no 

 country can produce too much." That expression con- 

 tains a great lesson for Americans. There must be pro- 

 duction and conservation "without limit." 



Official Press Bureau, London 



WHAT ENGLAND IS FACING 



America has not yet seen any such lines as this patiently waiting for the chance to enter a food shop and buy a small quantity of food. The 

 British "bobby" regulates the queue of pinched-faced women and children who stand in front of the scantily supplied store. A few cans of 

 condensed milk and a box or two of corned beef are probably all that are "displayed" in the shop window. 



dustry here already has absorbed many thousands of 

 women ; and other thousands are ready or in training for 

 other branches and occupations. 



But in the meantime until they are summoned from 

 their homes by the urgent call for more war workers to 

 handle lathes and saws, to drive the trucks and tractors 

 and to speed the ships on their way, the women here can 



"Even if the greatest expectations are realized," says 

 Henry B. Thomson, chairman of the Canada Food Board, 

 "the fact remains that the world reserves of wheat are 

 exhausted. The greatest care will have to be taken to 

 re-establish these reserves both here and abroad. It will 

 be absolutely necessary to continue conservation and sub- 

 stitution at least until the 1919 crop situation is known." 



