112 THE WAR GARDEN VICTORIOUS 



2,000,000,000 pounds — an increase of 400 per cent. In 

 the same way our exports of butter in 191 3 totaled 

 slightly more than 3,500,000 pounds. In 1917 we ex- 

 ported, in round numbers, 26,750,000 pounds. Before 

 the war our shipments of cheese averaged 2,500,000 

 pounds. In 191 7 they exceeded 66,000,000 pounds. 

 Our exportation of condensed milk jumped from 

 16,500,000 pounds to 259,000,000 pounds. 



If the feeding of our 120,000,000 allies made such a 

 drain on our resources, what will happen now that 

 180,000,000 starving neutrals also come to us for food; 

 when Russia's helpless 160,000,000 thrust their hands 

 across the sea to us, even as the sinking Peter appealed 

 to Christ, saying, "Save me or I perish".'' Now that 

 peace has come; now that Germany and Austria are 

 again to be admitted to the society of nations, as even- 

 tually they must be, how can we prevent their hungry 

 multitudes — another 100,000,000 souls — from also en- 

 tering our markets and bidding for our food supplies? 

 Already our former foes are begging piteously for food, 

 and President Wilson has assured them that their 

 appeals will be heeded. 



Now that these things have come to pass, we must 

 feed or help to feed, not 220,000,000 people as during 

 the war, but an additional 440,000,000. In short, now 

 that the war is ended and commerce restored, we must 

 help to feed two-thirds of a billion of people! 



Food Administrator Hoover recognized this condition 

 as inevitable, and when the armistice was signed he was 

 prepared to reckon with it. With the cessation of hos- 



