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G LEA N I N G S.

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G LEA N I N G S. AGRICULTURAL BOARD FOR WALES. Mr. John asked the Prime Minister in the House of Commons whether, having regard to the fact that one-third of the afforestable area of England and Wales was located in the Prin- cipality, that considerable tracts of land suitable for reclamation existed in Wales, that the Weisii people were most anxious both to settle return- ing Welsh soldiers satisfactorily upon the land and to substantially increase the present aggre- gate agricultural product of the soil, he would take steps to constitute forthwith a fully-equip- ped and adequately-endowed Board of Agricul- ture for Wales competent to take full cognisance of the natural resources of the Principality alike in the matters of agricultural development, afforestation, and fisheries.—Mr. Bonar Law, who replied, said ho regretted that it was not possible to consider this question during the war. j PRICE VARIATIONS DuRING j JUNE. S Cattle fully maintained their high values dur- I ing the first half of June, but during the latter part of the month prices rather fell away: the average for the month, however, works out about J 2d. per 141b. stone Ikd. per lb.) higher than in May. Slieep declined in price during the greater 1 part of the month, and in their case the fall was sufficient to cause the average for the month to be ld. per lb. lower than in May. Pigs were a' steady trade throughout June at the lower level of values ruling at the end of May; the average for the month consequently works out about 3d. per stone (11.1. per lb.) lower than the average: r for May. As compared with June, 1915, cattle have advanced 2s. 4d. per stone (2d. per lb.), J sheep 2jd. per lb., and pigs 3s. id. per stone) (2fid. per lb.), while as compared with the average j for June, 1912-14, the advance in cattle amounts J to 6s. Id. per stone (5id. per lb.), sheep 4gd. per lb., and pigs 4s. ICd. per stone (4gd. per lb.). SOLDIERS FOR HARVEST. I A circular letter received last Friday by clerks to local tribunals, from the Chief Recruiting Officer, 23rd Area, calls attention to the "very ample arrangements" which have been made this year to release soldiers for the harvest, and which obviate the necessity of granting exemptions to men in agricultural occupations to carry them over the harvest. It is to be feared, adds the circular, that farmers in many cases do not take advantage of these arrangements, preferring to keep their own sons at home, in fact putting per- sonal before national considerations. The point to be emphasised is that if men are granted ex- emptions till the end of the harvest, there is abso- lutely no chance of training them before the winter, which means groat delay before their training ca.n be carried out properly. If, how- ever, they are released at once their training can be carried out and the heavy work required for the harvests can be done by soldiers who have already done their training. IRISHMEN AND THE HARVEST, j The Irishmen who, in considerable numbers, are seeking employment for the harvest arc not j receiving a very cordial welcome in some purta j —of the north. The question of engaging Irish t labourers to. take the place of British workers who have joined the Colours is admittedly as difficult as it is delicate. If farmers were free to consult only their own views, few of it mm would hesitate in rejecting the proffered help in the ingathering of their crops and other Geld op- erations. They dislike the idea that able-bodied- Irishmen of military age should be specially exempted, and their own sons and labourers taken for national service. They do not hold the Irish migrants wholly responsible, but they are so incensed by the distinction made in their favour that they would incur heavy personal loss rather than encourage or take advantage of the concession made to Ireland. They recognise, however, that they are not altogether free agents in the matter. The crops that have to be harvested are nominally their own, but the right thinking producer appreciates his obligations to the State, and regards it as his bounden duty to do his utmost to save the produce from avoid- able injury. While the presence of eligible Irish- men is objectionable to him, he feels that he mr,st Srst of all consider the public interest, and it is this subordination of preference to responsibility that will ensure for the Irish labourer the lucrative employment that will be his for the ask- J ing for the duration of the war. THE WOOL CLIP. I Several question^ of present importance were i discussed at the meeting of tho Central and I Associated Chambers of Agriculture on July 11. Tha council fell into line with kindred organisa- tions, national and local, in, insisting upon more reasonable terms for farmers under the Govern- ment Order for taking over the wool clip. It was contended that the prices paid should not be I less than those ruling last year. Emphasis was also laid upon the disadvantages suffered from delay in making known the Government inten- tions as to price and delivery. Representatives were appointed to join the deputation from the Royal Agricultural and other societies to Mr. H. W. Forster on tha following day. Another sub- ject that excited keen debate was the employ- ment on the land of conscientious objectors. The feeling of the meeting Was unsympathetic not frankly antagonistic to tilny scheme of the [uLd. The Small Holding Colonies Bill and Education j were also considered. THE GOVERNMENT AND FARM j PRODUCE. The feelings and attitude of farmers, regard- fng- the action of the military authorities in com- mandeering hay, straw, and wool, generally much below market value, are fittingly expressed in a memorandum to the Board of Agriculture adopted at the annual meeting of the Land 'Agents' Society on July 7. The memorandum itates that this course seriously discourages laxmers from maintaining production of tho articles montmned, and points out that a new burden has already been pinwd on tham through the alteration in their liability to income tax under Schedule B, which amounts to trebling their former assessments. Last year, it is nddod, the President of the Board of Agriculture re fus,1 to consider the request made by farmers for .;ing maximum prices for feeding stuffs dnd artificial manures, and advised that. *the matter be not pressed lest a demand should arise for maximum prices being placed on agricultural produce. Notwithstanding this, the Government have now fixed maximum prices for hay and straw, and propose to fix a maximum price for wool. This has been done without ascertaining the views of the agricultural irdustry. It is Pinted out that lmdr the present order the t0i.c for 4aj, and oat and wheat straw, allowed the middleman, are out of all proportion to those allowed to the farmer, who has to bear all the risk and expanse of production. It is, moreover, presumed that these maximum prices moreover, the best quality only, the amount of refer to which i as regards hay, it h feared, may be small W* ,*W on, and therefore for the bulk of his .44.- -i; :o. I crop the producer will receive even less. No provision is made as regards commandeered pro- duce for an appeal against the decision of the ii)ul-cl,l,?.isiri,r (,,fficer as to the price which he fixes, j and the vendor can only appy for compensa- i bon to the Commission mttmg' in London, a pro- cedure pr?tically impossible to an ordinary fa rnr. Under such conditions, it is maintained, I the eiforts of war agricultural committees and similar bodies are rendered nugatory. OFFICIAL RETURNS OF MARKET I PRICES. j The official returns of n^arket prices for the week elidt-iig July 12, compiled from the reports received from the Board of Agriculture's market reporters give the following information: | Fait Stock.—The majority of markets have been I rather better suppfie? with tat c ttle. the numbers allowing a iMi.ght increase over Ithe previous week, but they ,Me stiU below the average of tlhe three pre. (ceding years. The quality generally shows no im- i pT'ovement, a. large number of half-meated grass-fed beaats still being offered in all markets. The de. i man/di, however, has been good and prices show a i further rise from last week ol nearly id. per lb,, the. best quality Shorthorns making about. 15s. 3d. per stoN? against 15s. 1d. lest week, while the Mve w?gh't average ?OT the best quality Shorthorns is 63s. 6d., and, fo'r Herefords 72s., per cwt., against 67&. and 70s. 6di. per live cwt. respectively last week, Sheep and lamibs have beten in very steady request all the week, the recent flaIl being fully recov^ed 'at ?veTa.1 markets; the average rate1, however, over aM markets remains practlc?ly unchanged! at 13d, per lb. for sheep (Downs making if anythm;g, 1 sifighitiy undn, and, slightly over, this price), and 14Jd. for the best quality lambs. Pigs show a- slight advance in prfoe, the demand for [mice quality porkers being specially keen.. while the smppHcls have beEIJl fbort at ma.ny markets. At Os- wetstry on, Wednesday best quality cattle; were in I keen request a,t fully 2s. per cwt. more than last -wetek, while secondary sorts "were also slightly ifirmelr. Sheep sold at Joa,stl'ee:k ratea, but Jambs were 4<i. per 10, cheaper. Pigs sold well up to an extrEiTtle of Us. 3d. per score, or 10s. per stone, live weight. Stone Stock.—The markets have been rather poorly attended, but trade ke'Cips firm, and present prices look like. beinig maintained. At Northampton the reporter states that owing to the abundance of grass yourog grazing cattle were in demand, but at bury special sale:, where 679 beasts were offered, buyers were net very keen, although the reporter considers that about 65 per cent, of the cattle changed! hcnds. It may be noted that at the same market on Tue-rday a cow and oali realised, £ 54, breaking ail previous records for thiat market. Trade at the lamb safes in the Eastern counties, notably Show market and East Earl ing, was very good, prices showing a considerable a,(byance compared with the <iorfre(spomdlnig sales last veStr. Grain and Meal .—Imports last week:—Wheat 2,141,000 barfey 483.700 c-wts., oats 33,:?üO cwts; maize 460,300 cvrts. imports during June: Wheat 11,769,900 cwts., against 8,712,400 cwts. in 3915 and 0,831,417 cwts. in 1014; barley 1,133.400 cwts. against 453,COO cwts. in -915 and 1,455,300 cwts. in 1914; oats 1,433.800 cViLs, against 1,507,000 cwtiS. in lgl,i :mc1 1.021,600 cwts. in 1014; maize 1.858,400 cwts., gaainst 1,480,400 cwts. in 1915, and 2,(XG SCO owts. in 1914. London.—Wheat.—A vary slow and also a very strong market has to be reported; the supply of English is so small that there is no anxiety to effect pnomp sales. Wees range from 51s. to 54s. per 504 lbs. (4&s. 6d. to 51s. 6d. per 480 lbs.) for milling samples, and fr.om 46s. to 48s. per 448 lbs. (49s. 3d. to 51s. 6d. per 480 l'bs.) for chicken wheat. Tfoeire is an increased choice of Canadian, the three top grades realising 56s., 55131, and 54?., per 496 lbs. (54s. 3d., 83s. 3di., and 52s. 3d. per 480 lbs. respective. Jy). Barley .—A little fine English malting com- mamidis 60s. peir 448 lbs. (53s. tfd. per 400 lbs.), while Qaiiforniian, Spanish and Australian, are not parted with under 61s. per 418 lbs. (54s. Cd. Per 400 108.), Imported feeding barley makes 42s. to 44s. per 400 libs for poor types, while the finer sorts, such as new Indian, make up to 50s. Oats.-A very slow pale is experiienMdi; prices realised he. VIe ine! Udfd 36s. M. per 336 lbs. (34s. per 812 lhs.) for white artons, 34s. per 320 lbs. (33s. 3d. per 312 'bp.) fcr Canadian, and 328. 6d. per 304 lbs. (33s. Sd. per 512 lbs.) for new Bahia Blanca. The latter price is also the leivel for b1,ack Irtish. Secondary Chilian. ( 312 lbs, natural weight, raake 35s. per quarter. 3'adze. —This i.s a dear market; the pn'esis made. ni .), t tc- centlv on spot include 56?. for fine small round, 53s. for yellow Ja.-va, 50s. for Argentine and Pxr- mese, 4s. for Natal, and 47s, for Hgyptian and ",tlite Java. All maiz» prices are per 480 Ib.s., and this, also applies to the useful kitoi-dr.ied mixture now on sale at 47s. 6d. Sfcial.—There, is a very small sale, but prices realised have included 125s, per ton for brlan 140s. for broad! hrian., 142s. 6d. for pollard, for rica bran, 1,97s. 6d. for coarse middlings, ZOOs. for straight-rum middlings, 225s. for maize 240s, for barley n.e»l, «60s. for bean ineal, ,g nA 24-, 33s. per 280Jbs, for American feeding flour. In addition, there have been sales of Can- adian. oaifcmeail at 40s per 240-lbs. saclk, Ollcake, The market is unchanged, with ground nut, palm nut karn.e.l(, and soya b8iRê!1 cakes in relatiiveily bette,r request than .Vin'seed and cottonseed! ealca. Potatoes.—Imports last week, 10,727 tons; in cor:-1j responding week, 1915. 11,650 tons. Exports laet •waek;—British 9 tons, a ,g.3ÆD1t 42 tons to 1815; Foreign R11,d Colonial, nil, against ml in 1015. Imports during June, 49.920 tons, again at 58,168 tons in 11915, and 79,623 tows in 1014. Birminigbam.-Good supplies, prices showing a further redaction on the week. I (Eustom and Paddington Stations). —Supplies have been sufHcImti and saSes not large. Bipm?n?ham.—auppHat, sllIDdoot and demand quiet j Manche sit«r.—Cloodl su.pp?&s a? th? week, but Mttle ?' demand,, -d only limited quantities have been sold.

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