SUMMER IN ENGLAND.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18355, 28 August 1929, Page 12

SUMMER IN ENGLAND.

A GARDEN COUNTRY. A VISITOR’S IMPRESSIONS. A member of the staff of the "Timaru Herald,” who is at present in England, writes:— Who does not love a garden? At the present time all England—and as much of Scotland as I have so far seen—is a garden. Hay-making is in progress everywhere. and the whole countryside, with its wealth of grass and trees, its well-grown crops of wheat, oats, and barley, now just “turning”; its growing crops of sugar beet, swedes, potatoes, etc.. with splashes of bright-hued wild flowers In field and country lane, as well as along the main highway, present a picture not soon to be forgotten. Last summer in England was the best that had been experienced for many years, but it is not easy for the visitor to visualise a better one than the present. People here, especially country dwellers, say that rain is needed, but this is not evident to one who does not know the English soil. That rain is really needed is evident from the fact that prayers for rain are being offered in the churches, and notices are posted at various vantage points, reminding the people that water should not be wasted. These notices are seen both in England and Scotland. . Despite the lack of moisture, however, the country is green and the crops abundant. When the visitor inquires how the country can look so well under what are termed drought conditions he is told that the countryside does not “brown up” here through lack of rain, as it does in other parts of the world. The real explanation probably is that the overabundance of rain here in the winter so fills the subsoil with moisture that plant life has a big supply upon which to draw in the dry summer months. At all events the country could not look much better than it does at the present time: and to drive through it in a char-a-banc as I have just done, up one coast and down the other, covering 1000 miles in ten days, is a source of real pleasure. The visitor cannot fail to be impressed by the fact that the farmers here, whatever they may have been at one time, are diligent and up-to-date. The farms are well kept, the homesteads tidy, and modern methods of working the soil are adopted. I would not say that the soil is being made to produce the maximum, but things are rapidly shaping that way. The trees, of which we hear so much, are really beautiful, but if the maximum production is to be obtained, some of them will have to go, notably those in cultivated fields which are not required for shelter, or which are not growing in fence lines. The people of Britain, fortunately, have thoughts of the aesthetic, as well as of efficiency and economy, and are not likely soon to disregard their desire to spare the silent sentinels, which seem to serve as a perpetual reminder that there is something besides commerce and industry worth thinking about; but with the growing population • London has now reached the 8,000,000 mark) it does seem that some of the trees will have to go.

However out of date the farmers in this part of the world used to be, they are certainly up to the minute now. The new generation has adopted modern methods, and science and machinery play a very important part on the land. I have seen evidence in various parts of the country of the adoption of the new system of what is called rotational grazing, under which grass is cut when it becomes too long, and only fresh, green, succulent pasture is fed' to stock, which is frequently shifted from field to field so that the grass eaten is always young, palatable, and nutritious, and the frequent use of the harrow prevents it from becoming soiled, while top-dressing with lime and fertilisers ensures vigorous growth. Stock is everywhere looking well, as it could scarcely fail to do with the abundant pastures that are everywhere in evidence; and it would seem that the Home farmer is in for a good season. There is a fly in the ointment, however. Some of them have to pay rents which would stagger the New Zealand producer—up to £4 and £5 per acre. Then it is complained that there is a lack of storage for cereal crops, in consequence of which it is said that the British farmer has to accept whatever price is offering at the time of threshing. The new Labour Government evidently con- ' siders this a genuine grievance, and at the present time is considering how best to improve the lot of the farmer in this respect. Whoever heard before of Socialists admitting that farmers had any rights! It would seem not unlikely that the wheat grower this year will receive a good price for his grain, as the price of flour has been steadily mounting lately, and the price of bread is to be further increased as from Monday next. On Monday, July 29, the price of the 41b loaf will be 9d. The sudden rise in wheat prices is said to be due to the fear that drought has damaged the Canadian and the American wheat crops. The crops, both cereals and roots, represent a great deal of work on the part of the farmers well done in the winter and spring months. I had the good fortune, when in Scotland, to be there during the time of the Highland A. and P. show. This is the greatest exhibition of its kind in Scotland. It was held this year at Alloa, in the Park of Alloa House. Clackmannanshire, the seat of the Earl of Mar and Kellie, who is President of the Society. The Park is a picturesque one of 55 acres of grassland, adorned with pretty shelter trees. The weather was beautifully fine, and the attendance very large; while the exhibits indicated a very high standard of progress in matters agricultural and pastoral. The show was well ordered, with traditional Highland dignity and finish. To write of the exhibits in detail would occupy too much space; suffice it to say that a visitor from so far afield as New Zealand is not long left in doubt as to the reason why importations of stock especially horses, are so highly thought of. The well bred and aristocratic Clydesdale horses, the magnificent Suffolks of massive frame and proud bearing, the sprightly thoroughbreds with the resolute eye that loves the lead, the handsome little Highland and Shetland ponies; the splendid cattle, both for milk and beef production, pride of place among which was held by the Shorthorn, the Aberdeen Angus, the Priesians, the Polls, and the Plighland cattle; the Cheviot. Leicester, Oxford Down, and halfbred sheep; the goats, wool-producing rabbits, poultry, etc.. mode a show worth going a long way to see. The various rural industries of Scotland were well represented, and for the first time the Scottish Women's Rural Institute of Scotland had an exhibition. The implement and machinery section also was impressive, the iinplemcnis including a new covered motordriven dust cart, which would be of lnte <st i o the i imaru Borough Council, as marking a big advance on the open horse-drawn dust cart. The show extended over four days, the price :of admission being: First day 7. G. second 5, -. third 26, fourth 1 -. In the centre of the showground was

a members’ pavilion, ./ith reading and writing room, cloak-room. etc.. fl separate one being provided for lady members. There was also a Post Office on the show ground lor the reception of letters and telegrams.