Farming Revival In Britain

Northern Advocate, 23 May 1941, Page 8

Farming Revival In Britain

LONDON, April 10.

To travel through the countryside now is to be impressed and heartened, says W. E. Wood, agricultural correspondent, in ' the “Daily Telegraph.” Gone is the atmosphere of apathy and neglect which hung about so many farms in the careless years when our population ignored the truth that a nation, for its security and prosperity, must ultimately look to its own soil. Instead, one feels everywhere the throb of events, as the great wartime agricultural revival gathers momentum. The ravages of decay are being repaired; the land is being given heart again, so that it can produce the food we need.

Everywhere I have found the spirit of co-operation, the same spirit as is enabling us to add some 4,000,000 acres to our tillage in two seasons. The farming community realises its task and will not fail. Aid of 80,000 Tractors

Those extra acres of cereals, potatoes, vegetables and fodder crops needed for our very security in the months ahead wlil be achieved, although the decision to have three montns of double summer-time will increase farm costs and add to the difficulty of harvesting. This season's ploughing campaign got off the mark well. There is little doubt that, with the aid of the 80,000 tractors now at work, the counties will manage the increased quotas. It is the county committee executives and their district organisations, with their 4000 voluntary workers assisting the technical staffs, who are the crux of the food drive. Without them it could never have been carried through. As the Government's agents they have almost revolutionary powers. On the whole, they are using them to good purpose. Scientific Advice

One beneficial result of the food drive has been to bring scientific advice to the farm. Hundreds of technical men from farm colleges and institutes have been seconded to the staffs of county committees and. in company with first-class practical farmers, they are going round the land giving advice on cropping and cultivation. They get a very good reception these days, too. Advice is helping the farmer round difficult corners.

Serious limiting factors have arisen to hold back farmers from even greater achievements. It would be folly to look at the countryside through rosecoloured spectacles. Urgent problems have to be faced. The labour problem comes uppermost. For farm work itself farmers who once held back are now clamouring for land girls. Although from 300 to 400 girls a week are now joining the Women’s Land Army, more are wanted than have been trained, especially for dairy work. But it remains true that for the heaviest land work only girls of very strong physique are useful.

Problem of Fertilisers

The Government has now decided to stagger school holidays in country districts so that children can help on the farms, and to allow holidays to be arranged at short notice if urgent seasonal needs arise. One matter which is causing anxiety in some districts is the difficulty of getting supplies of phosphatic manures, which are essential if the mo.st is to be made of our newly tilled grassland and if millions of acres of pasture are to be improved to maintain dairy herds and other stock While local shortages of phosphates may continue, the general position is being alleviated. Through the efforts of the Ministry of Supply it is believed that production of phosphates from imported rock for the year ending next June will appreciably exceed that of the previous year.

Special steps are being taken to improve distribution of basic slag. Nitrogenous fertiliser is in better supply, and further orders can still be fulfilled tin's season.

It is right to mention the difficulties with which the farmers have to contend. Nevertheless, they are being met resolutely, and there is every reason for believing that the 1941 food campaign will break all records.