This latter remark suggests one of the recommendations of the authors for increasing agricultural production—­the increased recovery of moorlands.  They show that Germany has at least 52,000 square miles (more than 33,000,000 acres) of moors convertible into good arable land, which, with proper fertilizing, can be made at once richly productive; they yield particularly large crops of grain and potatoes.  Moreover, the State Governments must undertake the division of large landed estates among small proprietors wherever possible—­and this is more possible just now than ever, owing to the fact that many large owners have been killed in battle.  The reason for such a division is that the small holder gets more out of the acre than the large proprietor.

As Germany makes a large surplus of sugar, the authors advise that the area planted in beets be reduced and the land thus liberated be planted in grain, potatoes, and turnips; as a matter of fact, it is reported that the Government is now considering the question of reducing the beetroot acreage by one-fourth.  The authors also recommend that sugar be used to some extent in feeding stock, sweeting low-grade hay and roots with it to make them more palatable and nutritious.  It is also regarded as profitable to leave 20 per cent. of sugar in the beets, so as to secure a more valuable feed product in the remnants.  Still another agricultural change is to increase the crops of beans, peas, and lentils—­vegetables which contain when dried as much nutrition as meat.  Germany will need to increase its home production of these crops to replace the 300,000 tons of them hitherto imported.

Such are the principal points covered by these experts.  Their conclusion is that, if their recommendations be carried out fully, and various economies be practiced—­they could not be touched on in the limits of this article—­Germany can manage to feed its people.  But they insist, in their earnest, concluding words, that this can only be done by carrying out thoroughly all the methods of producing and saving food products advised by them.  It is a serious problem, indeed, but one which, all Germany is convinced, can and will be solved.

HOCH DER KAISER

BY GEORGE DAVIES

HOCH DER KAISER!  Amen!  Amen!  We of the pulpit and bar, We of the engine and car; Hail to the Caesar who’s given us men, Our rightful heritage back again.

    Who kicks the dancing shoes from our feet;
    Snatches our mouths from the hot forced meat;
    Drags us away from our warm padded stalls;
    From our ivory keys, our song books and balls;
    Orders man’s hands from the children’s go-carts;
    Closes our fool schools of “ethics” and “arts.” 
    Puts our ten fingers on triggers and swords,
    Marshals us into War’s legions by hordes.

Hoch der Kaiser!  Amen!  Amen!  We of the sea and the land; We of the clerking band; Hail to the Caesar who’s given us men Our rightful heritage back again.

    WHO SUMMONS: