CHAPTER XII CAN BRITAIN FEED HERSELF?
Is it impossible for this nation to produce food for 40,000,000 of people?
We cannot produce all our food. We cannot produce our own tea, coffee, cocoa, oranges, lemons, currants, raisins, figs, dates, bananas, treacle, tobacco, sugar, and many other things not suitable to our climate. But at a pinch, as during a war, we could do without most of these.
Can we produce our own bread, meat, and vegetables? Can we produce all, or nearly all, our butter, milk, eggs, cheese, and fruit?
And will it pay to produce these things if we are able to produce them at all?
The great essential is bread. Can we grow our own wheat? On this point I do not see how there can be any doubt whatever.
In 1841 Britain grew wheat for 24,000,000 of people, and at that time not nearly all her land was in use, nor was her farming of the best.
Now we have to find food, or at any rate bread and meat and vegetables, for 40,000,000.
Wheat, then, for 40,000,000. At present we consume 29,000,000 quarters. Can we grow 29,000,000 quarters in our own country?