"The demobilization of the European armies will permit men to return to the farms, and it may be expected that under the stimulus of an urgent demand for food an attempt will be made this year to increase food production in all the affected European countries. The devastated regions will be slow in recovering. Much time and labor will be required to construct necessary homes and farm buildings, level the ground, remove obstructions, and in other ways prepare for a resumption of regular agricultural activities. But it must be remembered that as compared with the whole of the countries concerned these areas are small and should not affect the results in any large way.
"In many sections of Europe there is a shortage of horses and other work stock, farm machinery, seeds, and fertilizers. In these localities a normal production should not be expected, but it is evident that under favorable conditions a material increase over the past year will be secured.
CEREAL REQUIREMENTS FOR 1919
"The following table presents estimates of the cereal requirements for 1919 and shows the world balance as deficit or surplus. Figures for the cereals, except rice, represent millions of bushels.
| Import Requirements | Wheat | Rye | Barley | Oats | Corn | Rice, Hulled |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EUROPE | Million pounds | |||||
| Allies | 525 | 25 | 50 | 150 | 220 | 1,945 |
| Neutrals | 124 | 40 | 30 | 38 | 78 | 302 |
| 649 | 65 | 80 | 188 | 298 | 2,247 | |
| Germany | 68 | 149 | 3 | 32 | 438 | |
| Austria-Hungary | 11 | 2 | 15 | 183 | ||
| Total Europe | 728 | 65 | 22 | 193 | 345 | 2,868 |
| Other countries | 7,411 | |||||
| Grand total | 10,279 | |||||
| Surplus (estimated): | ||||||
| Canada | 100 | 50 | 75 | |||
| Argentina | 185 | 90 | ||||
| Australia | 210 | |||||
| India | 18,000 | |||||
| Other countries (pre-war) | 7,400 | |||||
| Total, except United States | 495 | 50 | 75 | 90 | 25,400 | |
| Net deficit | 233 | 65 | 179 | 118 | 255 | |
| UNITED STATES, 1918 | ||||||
| Production | 917 | 89 | 250 | 1,538 | 2,583 | 1,123 |
| Consumption | 640 | 32 | 130 | 1,254 | 2,730 | 816 |
| Surplus | 277 | 57 | 120 | 284 | 307 | |
| Deficit | 147 | |||||
| WORLD | ||||||
| Surplus | 44 | 166 | 14,428 | |||
| Deficit | 8 | 59 | 402 | |||
"The figures on import requirements of the Allies and neutrals are those estimated for 1917—18, while the estimated requirements of Germany and Austria are pre-war net imports.
"The rice surplus might be required in the Orient for countries whose crops may have failed.
| MISCELLANEOUS CROP REQUIREMENTS, 1919. | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Import requirements of— | Cotton (50 pounds bales). | Tobacco (million pounds). | Flaxseed (million bushels). |
| EUROPE | |||
| Allies, including Japan | 8,058,000 | 340 | 21.6 |
| Neutrals | 720,000 | 150 | 7.9 |
| Germany and Austria-Hungary (pre-war boundaries) | 2,932,000 | 355 | 15.7 |
| Other countries | 1,200,00 | 17 | |
| Total requirements | 13,010,000 | 1,022 | 45.2 |
| SURPLUS (ESTIMATED) | |||
| Countries, except United States, recently reported (1918) | 2,680,000 | 40 | |
| Average, 1900—1913, for other surplus countries | 500,00 | 650 | [9]5.7 |
| Total, except United States | 3,180,000 | 650 | 40 |
| UNITED STATES | |||
| Production, 1918 | 11,700,00 | 1,340 | 14.7 |
| Consumption | 6,600,000 | 720 | 26.7 |
| Surplus | 5,100,000 | 620 | |
| Deficit | 12 | ||
| WORLD | |||
| Surplus | 148 | ||
| Deficit | 4,730,000 | 17.2 | |
[9]Russia | |||
"The cotton table is based upon normal industrial conditions in all the consuming countries and upon the restoration of the spinning industry in the devastated regions. If conditions do not reach normal, and if the industry is not restored, the consumption of cotton will be substantially less. With practically complete restoration, cotton consumption may well be expected to equal the normal or pre-war times on account of the present shortage of cotton goods in various countries. The economies which the peoples of Europe must practice for some years to come must be considered."