New York's Food Supply

If the city of New York and the neighboring district were to be besiegcd or iii soine other wuy entireiy out olï frora the outside world, aud therefore depri ved of the fcod supplies which in normal times come in daily in large quantitics, how long would it be before the pinch ei' hunger would be feit? That is a very hard question to answer, for the reason that there are such ineqnalities of purchasing capaeity in New York society that sorae go hungry in times of greatest prosperity for lack of means, while the great niajority eat more than is good for thern. Undoubtedly the nnmber of those who always go hungry would be increased after two or three days of a siege, and then day by day this nuniber would increase until the public authorities would feel compelled to take possession of the f ood supplies and distribute them among the people. With the exception of milk and some other things, the supply of meat, poultry, hardy vegetables and fruits would last for two inonths at the present rate of consumption. If all the supplies were taken charge of at the beginning of a siege - and this could easily be done - the food within New York could be made to last for f our months at least. The siege of Paris lasted only four months. Before two months had passed high and low, rich and poor, had learned what hunger was. And, as is well kuown, the French are the most thrifty and economical people in the world. In the arrangement and disposition of food the Parisians are specially distinguished. But the food supply in New York could be made to last as long as thé Paris siege lasted, and the people would