average in Germany has been about 9 ounces a week per person. It
was reported that this was reduced to 6 ounces in the middle of
May--barely two small servings each week.


THE PART OF THE UNITED STATES

As with wheat, meat for Europe must come chiefly from the United
States and Canada, since ships are few and the Atlantic the
shortest route. The extra demand upon us is to offset the loss from
inaccessible markets and the depleted herds in Europe. The United
States is now exporting far larger quantities than it has ever
exported before. In March, 1918, we sent over 87,000,000 pounds of
beef. Ordinarily we export between 1,000,000 and 2,000,000 pounds a
month. Of pork we sent 308,000,000 pounds--six times more than usual.
It is roughly estimated that it is necessary to send 75,000,000 pounds
of meat and meat products of all kinds abroad weekly to the Allies and
our army.

To buy and sell this huge and unusual quantity of meat, a careful
organization has been necessary. At first the Allied nations bought
meat in this country as best they could in competition with the
domestic market and each other, often feverishly to meet emergencies.
LAST DECEMBER A COMMISSION WAS FORMED TO BUY FOR ALL THE ALLIES. The
prices to be paid are settled by experts, after careful study, so that
packers, storage warehouses, and producers shall all have adequate,
but not excessive return for their labor. The buying is planned ahead
so that we can ship at times when we have plenty.

The meat which we are shipping now is coming in part from an increased