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GLEANINGS.!

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GLEANINGS. WINTER STORAGE. I It is interesting to notice the increased at- tendon that is being given to the ensilage sys- tem of storing fodder for winter use. Htty- mating is never likely to be discontinued, as dried fodder is a readily marketable commodity as well as a wholesome food. but there la mucn to be said for a practice which minimises the risk of loss or depreciation in the saving of the crops. The silo, moreover, is a.s suitable a sub- | etjtnte for the clamp as for the stack, and its advocates contend that provision for herds and flocks can be made as effectively with eat-ch crops stored in silos as with root crops, frli at a less cost. If root-growing were practised only as means of producing food for stock the argu- ment would have greater weight, but fallowing, cleaning, and manuring of the land are import- am considerations. FARM WORK FOR JUNE. Arable Farm: Turnip cultivation is the êbif work in June in Southern and Midland counties. Other forward green crops will need horse and hand-hoeing, and singling out to fitting distances --n-iangels about 12 inches apart, carrots and parsnips about 7 or 8. and kohl "abi about i0. Cabbages, may be transplanted either into well- prepared land, so as to yield a full ;rop of drum- heads in December and late autumn, or between th? rows of the ripening early crop of potatoes, so aa to provide a catch crop after they have been removed. Clovers and sainfoin ate mcwi for hay and for forage, for which also JIB late vetches are still available. The fly is no doubt appearing among the earliest- sown young turnips, which are braiding in the rows. The only preventive is to have the land 11 a growing state of tilth and fertility. There are also remedies in dusting the young plant with lime dusr, or in brushing them over continuously with par&SLn-wefefced brushes. They are finishing tumip-hoeing in the north already, at rho same time as they are only beginning in i he south, where too early sowing makes them liable to mildew. Perhaps a little nitrate of soda sown in July and August between the rows whenever there is a chance of rain washing it in might help to maintain growth in spite of rrilliew. Stock Farm: Grassland must be grazed accord ins to the season, and thistles spudded and droppings knocked about. Any cattle being soiled in stalls or boxes during the summer re- ceive clover and vetches brought to them along with cake and meal; but grazing beasts are now generally at grass, receiving, it may be decorti- cated cotton cake, with which they are supplied either in movable troughs or directly on the surface of the land. Hay-making begins in June; and cows should have as frequent change of pasture as possible. Sheep are washed and shorn in June, if not before; the shepherd must look carefully daily for,any attacks of fly. POTATO SPRAYING DEMONSTRA- TIONS. The Food Production Department attaches great importance to the spraying of the potato crop this year. It has been estimated that the value of the crop in an average year would be increased in value by aibout 95,000, if spraying were universal. The Director of Horticulture has arranged for the supply of knapsack machines of improved type at cost price, namely JS2 oash with order, and of the ingredients for making Burgundy Mixture, in cases containing sufficient chemicals to spray one and a third acres twice at a cost of 24s. carriage paid to fch-a nearest station. The Army Authorities are taking special interest in the matter of potato spraying, because this season they have large areas of potatoes planted for army purposes around camps and elsewhere under the control of the Army Canteen Committee. Recently, at Wislsy a demonstration of the machines and mixture recommended was given by the spraying section of the horticultural branch of the Food Production Department before Briga,dier- General Cowie. C R.E., Aldershot, and staff, Mai or Belcher of the Army Oan'teen Committee and staff, and officers from all over the coun- try. General Cowie personally used one of the isprayl-re and expressed warm approval. Orders h- v e been placed by the Army for a number of sprayers. Meetings of allotment holders, gard- eners and others are being arranged in various towns of England and Wales; and the depart- ment will be pleased to provide a demonstration in any district where a demand is proved to exwt. It ia desired particularly to have oppor- tunities afforded for spraying displays on market days in country towns and also at representa- tive gatherings of potato growers, amateur and professional. Food Production Societies,, allot- ment federations, email holders' clubs, gardene societies and similar bodies might well take this matter pp. Full particulars can be obtained on application to the Horticultural Branch, Food j Production Department, 72, Victoria Street, S. W. 1. FAMERS, PRISONERS AND WOMEN LABOUR. I It is gratifying to learn that, 80S a class, the farmers of the country are doing their best to meet the wishes of the Government in the mat- tar of what is czed "'The Policy of the Plough." Not only have they loyally tried this spring- despit6 weather, labour and machinery difficul- ties—4o increase the aoreage under wheat, oats aptl barieyT but they are showiug an excellent cEspoaifeon towards the plan for ploughing up &M,000 aerea of gram land during the summer and autumn for nest year's Gr&pa. It would be idle, however, to pretend that all the farmers are as kaan in this respect as the more progres- sive of their body. In some few cases this urgent measure of national safety is regarded undoubtedly with disfavour. It ifl chiefly among the same tlpes of farmer that we meet with absolute refusals to employ any sort of labour whose training or supervision en fails a lifcde added trouble or expense to the employer. One may understand the feeling of a British farmer who, for sentimental reasons, rejects an offer of German prisoner labour, althoagh the German farmer is not so shortsighted, a.nd some of the beat facrnjera in England are using pris- oners of war. But whit excuse is there for a British fiarraer, adinitt-edly short of labour, who will not employ Englishwomen willing to work for him 4L.na provajuy capable of doing valuable < service. Certainly, these women must be paid a minimum of 18s. a week and decently housed: and this figure low high possibly to a farmer aocusfcomaa before the war to obtain skilled male labour as or below this rate. Compared with the current wage of the munition making fAri, however, the pay asked by the part-trained Woman farm labourer is moderate, even low. The fanner should bear this fact in mind; and he should remember also that these women, after their month or so of preliminary instruc- tion at the State's expense or their own, can REALLY do AO many jobs about the farm which I are done usually by skilled men, thus releasing the latter for more important tasks. Many J*omea workers are now employed variously on *MaM ill over the OOuntrri and per 6 cent. of them are giving satisfaction. There is i no reason whatever why double the number j should not. be so employed. Without them it j will be diomst impossible to carry out the Gov- ernment plans for food production. Particulars as to the female labour available can be ob- I tamed from the Secretary of the County .y of the County Woman's War Agricultural Committee, from whom also particulars of training facilities facili- ties can be obtained by strong girls desirous of helping their country .on the land.

I OFFICIAL RETURNS OF MARKET…

^ ( ! -THE - FOOD -PROBLEM?I

WAR TIME FARMING IN MONTGOMERYSHIRE.-

PLOUGHMAN AS COLLIERY WORKER.

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