IDLE LAND IN AMERICA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15560, 18 March 1914, Page 6

IDLE LAND IN AMERICA.

Government reports continue .to show immense, and increasing importations of foodstuffs into the United States, a country that a few years ago was regarded as the bread basket of the world. These importations include meats and meat products of almost every description,. cattle on the hoof, grains and vegetables. They cover practically all the products of the 1 farm and garden. There are certain phases of the United States crop situation that call for careful treatment. For example, it will appear from the Government statistics that the farm value of the potato crop of the United States in 1913 is greater than for any earlier year except 1911. But increase of value in this case does . not reflect increased production. The value was high because production was low. The truth is, the United States, the natural home of the potato, has a production annually far below that of other countries. Farm products of all kinds are dear in i,he United States because farm production in the United States is low. The fertility of farm lands, taking the country through, has not seriously diminished, says an American paper. Millions upon millions of acres are idle. Under conditions far less favourable farmers abroad are raising a great deal more' to the acre than is taken from the soil in the United States- Instead of feeding the world, as it did to a very extent for years,' the United States is being fed in part' by other countries.