( 105 ) 



ing during the twenties. During the past quarter of a century 

 the nation has produced ten to twelve pounds of cottonseed 

 oil per capita. With rising consumption, our per capita net 

 exports of cottonseed oil were converted into net imports. 



During 1935, 1936, and 1937 about three fourths of the 

 world's exports of cottonseed oil were imported by the United 

 States. These imports averaged 10 per cent of our produc- 

 tion. In other words, our consumption was 110 per cent of 

 our production. 



Some forty or fifty years ago, the nation produced about 

 80 pounds of pork per capita, and in recent years 60 to 70 

 pounds. With relatively stable consumption, the proportion 

 exported has declined. During the droughts of the thirties 

 both production and consumption declined, but production 

 declined more than consumption, and in 1937 imports ex- 

 ceeded exports. The per capita production and consumption 

 of beef have declined, but consumption has declined less 

 than production. Formerly we were an exporter of beef; now 

 we are an importer. The production of wheat has declined 

 from eight to six bushels per capita. Formerly we exported 

 almost a third of our wheat crop. In recent years exports 

 have been negligible. 



The marvelous production of food during the past few 

 years has enabled the country to expand its livestock and 

 change from a net importer of food to a net exporter. 



The nation cannot obtain large amounts of food from 

 current stocks or livestock. Neither can imports be substan- 

 tially increased. The only big reserve is of wheat and the 

 grain fed to livestock. 



Fats for Soap, Paint, or Food 



There is still another shock absorber in the food supply: 

 the use as food of articles frequently utilized in industry. 

 Wheat may be used for making industrial alcohol as well as 



