FARMING IN BRITAIN

Evening Post, Volume CXXVIII, Issue 64, 13 September 1939, Page 10

FARMING IN BRITAIN

CULTIVATING EXTRA LAND

1,500,000 ACRES

(By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright.) (Received-September 13, 1.10 p.m.)

LONDON, September 12.

In a bulletin issued by the Ministry of Information, the Minister of Agriculture outlines wartime plans. He says that another 1,500,000 acres of land must be brought under the plough in the coming year, and that the Department is attempting in one year what was achieved in four years in the last war.

The Ministry appeals for a general speeding up of all forms of farming, pointing out that the current harvest has turned out better than was expected,

The statement, which contrasts conditions now with those in 1914, adds: "This time things are different. Our plans are ready. Food, fuel, and other requisites have been stored, and 60,000 tractors are held privately, in addition to reserve stock. We are in a far better position 'for ploughing up Britain than in 1918, when the last national effort reached its height."

Detailed instructions follow for the best means of conserving and improving livestock, poultry, etc., and an appeal is made to the kitchen gardener and the allotment holder to produce poultry feed. (British Official Wireless.) (Received September 13, 11.30 a.m.) RUGBY, September 12. The recent fine weather throughout Britain has enabled a good harvest to be gathered in perfect conditions Comparing the present agricultural position with that of 1914, the Minister of Agriculture, Sir Reginald DormanSmith said it was vastly superior. In regard to tractors, for example, there was a marked improvement. Whereas in 1914 tractors in use totalled only about 100 there were now 50,000 available.