DROUGHT'S TOLL OF WORLD'S FOOD

Chronicle (Levin), 6 November 1947, Page 5

DROUGHT'S TOLL OF WORLD'S FOOD

Received Wednesday, 7 p.m. LOXDOX, Xov. 5. The extent to wdiich the dry summei and autumn in the northern hennsphero is threatening crops artd production, i.show u in niessage.s reactiing l.ondon from many parts of the wond. P/.echostovakia has had the driest summer in living niemory and this lias been lollow ed by the driest autumn. A scarcity of toduer entailed the widespread slaugiitermg of stock and as a resuit the supply of milk and butter to all aduus ouier tlian invatids, is prohibited. Though slaughtering has ensurea a pientiiul suppiy of meat, it ia at tne expense of tne country's liocks and iieros. The fjotato crop is only 42 per cvnt. of last year s. The whole of Hcandinavia is similarly affected. Xorwegian farmers estimate they have alrvauy lost £10,00(J,(JUu wurtli or primary production because ot lack oi rain aua tne rivers liave failen su Jow that hyuro-eleclrie power supplies are seriousjy decreased. In isweden and Inuand, puip and paper mills have liad to cJose dovvn because iow iaae and nver levels make it iniiiossiwie to iiuai out tnnoer. Denmarii iiii.i aoeuuy siaugiuered a large proporLioii of iier dairy lierds and atthough au-at is pieinuuj as a resuit, dairy production is steadily decreasing. tiver most of (ierniany there has been no real rain since early spring. The kliine is at the lowest level for 21) years and as a resuit of low water levels, many of the canals on whieh Gennany largely depeinls for internal goods transport, have been closed. vji am crops liave been reasonablv good but sugar beet and fodder crops are vt-ry niucli smaller tlian average. In Jtntain ilself all agricultural land badly needs lieavv and contiuuous rain and autumn sowiugs inay be seriously alfected if this does not come soun. in many urban areas there are water I shortages and increasing rationing rest rietiuns. 'ihe drought is not eonfined to Lurojje. JCaiestino, Transjordan and the Xortn Aiiicun wie.hterianean littoral is suifenng iiom one of the vvorst dry spells for many years. There liave been Iieavy losses oi iivestock and mass lingrut ions of Araos in search of pastuies aiul food. Alniost alone among the Middle Last countries, Hyria aiui Lebanon appear to liave eseuped the worst effects of the dry conditions. Buenos Aires messages state that Argentum is ' still suifering under a severn drouglit and that sonie parts of the eountry have become dustbowls because of lack of water and continual lugli winds. The maize crops liave been particularly alfected and Argentine shipments to Britain will be co'tc^ pondingly reduced. Forty per cent. of the United JStatos vvheat crop for next season is stated to oe threatened by drv conditions on t'i>jdains of tlie southvvest. At present the ground is so parcheu that farmers cannot coinmence autumn ploughing L'nless rain comes soon in Texas, Okta lionia, Jvansas, X'ew Mexico and Coiorado, there is Jittle hope that American larmers will reach the Goverumeiit 's target of 75,U(JU,UUU acres under wheat. Forne parts of South Africa are* now experiencing the i'ourth sueeossive v'eur oi drought and in the Cape distnet,serious losses of wheat, dairy proouets. wool and Iivestock are fenied. ,