Llangollen Advertiser Denbighshire Merionethshire and North Wales Journal

I GLE-ANINGS. THE CROPS. The fields are now mostly cleared of stooks, and from all accounts the corn has been stacked in a condition that will ensure its safe keeping. Reports vary as to the amount of injury due to prolonged exposure, but sprouting appears to have been more general than was anticipated, while discolouration is common. On the wholo, however, farmers are more than pleased with the way in which the difficulties of an exceed- ingly troublesome season has been surmounted, and with the bulk of the crops secure in the stackyard and prices remaining high they are hopeful of making a good return as a result of their labours. Their corn crops, although only about average in quantity, or in the case ot wheat slightly less, are more valuable than most growers have ever experienced before. Thresh- ing is not yet general, probably for the reasons that the weather and state of the corn are un- suitable, and the need for concentrating upon field operations is for the moment supreme. Nothing is more remarkable in the official and other classified reports than the improvement in the appearance of the root crops. It is in- deed astonishing to notice the change in the expectations regarding the mangolds, swedes end turnips, which is not only a testimony to the power of atmospheric influences, but is proof of the way in which the acute labour problem has been overcome. Occasional mention is made of inefficiency of the hoeing and weeding, and yet the August rains following the brilliant spell of sunshine have evidently counterbalanced this disadvantage. With good crops of roots almost assured, stockowners can face the winter with confidence. The potato crop has not been cuite so well suited by the recent weather con- ditions, and has lost ground slightly in conse- quence. In England, however, more than an average yield is anticipated, which is fortunate, in view of the poor prospects in Scotland. The wet season has been disastrous in the Lothians and also on the seaboard north of the Forth and Tay, where the potato is one of the most im- portant crops. It is doubtful now if the yield can improve appreciably, and a substantial re- duction in the supplies from north of tha Tweed is a condition" that will have to be reckoned with. FARM MOTORS. FAR¥ MOTORS. .1 Increasing interest is Centreing in the adapta- tion of the motor to farm work. While confi- dence in the future of motor traction is extend- ing, doubt is still entertained all to whether the standard of efficiency already attained is suffi- cient to justify expenditure in thi" ■ direction. The motor plough or cultivator is no longer a novelty, and may be said to have emerged suc- cessfully from the experimental stage; but im- provements are still being effected, and the farmer with no great amount of spare capital is inclined to delay until his requirements have been met more completely either in the form of a composite machine or in separate appliances less expensive than those on the market. The thorough testing of mechanical inventions is a work in which men of the type of Mr. S. F. Edsce can render a real public service. Mr. Edge, who is not only well versed in mechanics, but is a farmer of considerable experience, has for some time past been devoting attention to the proving of agricultural motors, and the progress he has already made, as he tells us, encourages him to believe that the needs of the farm will in time be satisfactorily supplied. His experiments with different types of motors have enabled him at once to detect imperfections in the machines, and to approximately define the requirements of the land and the price at which the horse can be advantageously superseded. THE MEAT SUPPLY. The meat markets have still to draw their supplies from restricted sources, and there is unlikely to be appreciable change until peace has been restored, or, indeed, for some time after. Yet the consignments do not show the deficiency that was anticipated. There is a scarcity, of course, both of beef and, mutton, and the wholesale retail prices reflect the mea- sure of the reduction. But if it had been fore- told that the withdrawal of the whole of the imports from civilian consumption would have meant no Eerious deprivation to the average householder the prediction would have received little credence. For nearly two years the coun- try has been practically dependent upon its own resources for its beef and mutton, and nothing approaching severe straits has yet resulted, a fact that contrasts significantly with the situation in other belligerent countries, and even in some of the neutrals that are constantly being lauded as ex- amples for us to follow. More noteworthy even than the maintenance of the output in the past are tha reassuring prospects concerning its con- tinuance ji the future. It was feared that ihe attempt to maintain production might lead to a curtailment of breeding stock-that farmers might be induced to draw upon their capital in the form of breeding herds and flocks. These disquieting predictions have so far proved to be without justification. Not only is the falling off ia the number of cows of small account as judged from this aspect, but there is a larger aggregate of cattle in the country than ever before, and the flocks also are maintained at full strength. There is no reason, t herefore, to an- ticipate any decrease in the supply of meat be- yond wha,t results from the diversion of the im- ports to tie Allied armies. At the present time the conaignmentaof grass-fed cattle and sheep are so astonishingly liberal that the traders have expressed their amazement at the manner in which farmers have continued to meet require- ments and yet preserve their breeding reserves undinunished. TILLAGE AND SEEDING OPERATIONS.. The harvest has encroached so far upon the autumn that the important calendar of tillage and seeding operations has been considerably disorganised. In normal seasons ploughing would already have been well forward and large areas of catch crops sown as a wise safeguard agaumt scarcity of green feed for the flocks and herds in spring. The work will certainly be late, even although manuring and ploughing were begun in many parts before the fields were cleared, the manure heaps alternately curiously with the rows of stooks, but, fortunately, the rains have rendered the land in good working condition if, in fact, they are not on the soft side. As a rule the chief obstacle to progress in September is the hard condition of the land, but it is unlikely to be hindered from this cause this year. The importance of making the fullest use possible of ever use possible of every opportunity the autumn may present for cultivating and sowing is being assiduotufly emphasised, although the averago farmer appreciates sufficiently the urgency of the point to proceed on his own initiative. The early ploughing of the stubbles and clovers is known to be a valuable preparation for the making of a good seed bed, and the working is especially pressing now in view of the prevailing scarcity of labour. The experienced husband- man does not bind himself to any cut-and-dried routine in cultivating or cropping; he finds it a wiser proceeding to adapt his practice to cir- cumstances of the soil and season, but he will not. fail to recognise the desirableness of push- ing on as rapidly as possible with all kinds of field work, so that he may be in a position to face the winter and the uncertainties of spring with as much composure as is compatible with the nature of his calling-. OFFICIAL RETURNS OF MARKET PRICES The official returns of market prices for the week endBng Sept. 20 compiled tircm the reports' received from the Boalct of Agriculture's market reporters, give tbt following information:— I'at &tock.—Eat cattle show no marked change- in price Xiom la&t wook the average rate for all classes remaining about the 'same. At London, Salford auti L-ee<us, prices for 1st quality beasts advanced about 4d. per lb., but wt Derby, Newcastle, and Bristol tliey were correspond tog ly lower, while at Notting- ham. prices ■declined as much as id. pe'r lb.; the average rate for this class remains at about J3s. 9d. per stone, or llgd. per lb. while Srd quality now aevrage lis. Id. per stone, or 9d. per lb. It may be noted that the be.st quality cattle are now about 2s. Is. per stone, or ltd. per lb., cheaper than, they were during the -week ending June 14th, when trade, was considered the deftest this season, prime quality beasts then, making l&s. lOd. per stone, or 13Jd. per lb., against 13s. k. per stone, or lld. per lb., in the present welk. Sheep and iambs continue a very steady tradia a.t prices similar to last week, while pigs are a' shade dearer. especially porkers, which at some places are making lis. per stone, or 18. per Lb. At Oswestry on Wednesday prime. quality fat cattle a shade cheaper than last week, wnale ijilexlor, hfalf- created sorts were hard to ca&h and showed a coii- sidierable decline. Both aheap amd lambs wElne about £ d. per lb. cheaper, but bacon pigs maintained their price; porfceT6f however, were slightly cheaper. Store Stcel.The-re, has been a slightly better en- quiry for store cattle at the lower level of prices now ruling. At a special sale of store cattle at Shrewsbury the best quality made 52s. to 57s., and inferior down, to 44s. per live cwt., and although a good many lots remained unsold there was a fairly steady demand for usefikl beasts suitable for early finishing, but yearling were in poor request. At the Mtasham (Yorkshire) sheep fair trade is reported as being slow, although the lambs ma-die considieiaMy higher prices than last year, twics-cr-ossed being 13s. per head dearer, but the Mas hams on the av.-u g0 showed very little change. In North Wales trade has also been good, prices for ewes at Ruthin being considier&d 4s. 6d. to 6s.. and lamhs 2s. to 6s. 6cL, per head dearer than last year, while at Mold there was a specially goc-d demand for strong ew-es, Shropshire making up to 67s., and Welsh S2s. 6d.. per head, or 9s. and &s. per head respectively more than last year. Grain and -Ueal.-ImWts -la-st w-eek:-Wbeat 1,728,800 cwts., against 1,085,100 last year; barley 428,700 cwts.. against 264,8CO; oats 288,500, against 45.500; maize 1,141,800 cwts., against 885,800 cwts. Liv,rip.ool.-Wh.e.at.-nero.aIld slow at reduced quota. tions, No. 1 Manitoba realising 14s. 5d. to 14s. 5Jd. per cental (63s. 3d. to 69s. 6d per 480 lbs.). No. 2 hard, winter 13s. lid. to 14s. Id. per cental (66s. 1M. to 67,s. 6d. per 480 10s,), No. 1 Noirtherin Chicago and No. 1 Northern Duluth 14s. 2Jd. per cental (68s. 3d. pe'r 480 lbs.). Barley.-Tiade quiiet- at about late American feiding making 7s. 3d. to 7s. 4d. per 60 lbs. (48s. 3d. to 49s. per 400 lbs.), Plate 7s. 4d. to 7s. fid. per 60 lbs. (49s. to 50s. per 400 Ibs.), and CalifOEnian brewing (mew crop) 62s. 6d. to 63s. (1<1. per 448 lbs. (55s. 9d. to 56s. 9d. per 400 lbs.). Oats.— OM English scarce and dearer, while imported de- scriptions were also slightly firmer in value; old English oats made 4s. IOd. to 5s. per 45 lbs. ((33s. 6d. to 34s. 9-d. per 312 lbs.), new English 4s. 4d. to 4s. 5d. per 45 lbs. (30s. to SOS. 6d. per 312 lbs.)_ Canad- ian 4s. 7. to 4,5. Sd. per 45 lbs. (32s. to 32s. 3d. per 312 lbs.), and Chilian tawny 4s. &d. to 4s. 5d. per 45 lbs. (SOs. 6d. to 31s. per 812 lbs.). Maiie.—De- mand slow at lower prices. River Plate especially, behiig easier to buy; yellow Plate mooe IOs. 4d. to 103. 4Jd. per cental (49s. 6d. to 46s. 9d. per 480 lbs.), mixed American 10s. 4d. to 10s. 7d. per cental (4{1s. 6d. to 50s. 9d. par 480 lbs.), white West African 10s. 4d. to 10s. Sd. per cental (49s. 6d. to 50s. per 480 lbs.), and white flat South African 10s. 6d. per j cental (50s. 6d. per 480 Ebs.). Potatoes—Imports last -we?k ton; in correspond ing week, 1915, 119 tons. Experts last week l mil, against 23. tons in 1915; foreign and colonia, 13 tons, against 56 tons in 1915. Milk.—London (Euston and Paddington Statione). —tappMes sufficient, and trade steady- Birming- ham,—Trade remains steady at l5d. per impeirial gallon. Manchester.— Bernard good; the lower prices ruling after the week-end were due. to the, aatival of a quantity of factory milk.

No Crop Statement this Year. I It is officially announced that the usual state- ment issued by the Board of Agriculture, giv- ing the are:1 under certain crops and the num- ber of live stock in each county of England and Wales, will not be published this year. Pending the issue of the detailed returns, the Board will be willing to supply the figures for the chief crops in any particular county on application.

 ?onun? ?:ucs! I FRIDAY. SEPT 29.—^Clam, Machynlleth (sh). MONDAY, OCTOBER* 2.—Aberystwyth, Bu-ilth Wells, Bridgnorth Newport, Wrexham, Welshpool, Went, Wellington. TUESDAY, OCT. 3.—Dims Mawddwy, Eilesnaere, Shrewsbury, Shifnai WEDNESDAY, OCT. 4.-DoigelJey (sh.), Macbyn. lleth, Market Drayton, Oswestry (b. ch. and h.). THURSDAY, OCT. 5.—Llanfair Cae-rtinjon (sh. and $>.), Montgomery. MIIDAY, OCT.' 6.—Lianfair Caere inion. (h. and s,), Llanidloes (sll.).

I FARMERS "SLATED." I I TRIBUNAL CHAIRMAN'S I I CRITICISM. I A SPIRITED REJOINDER, A vigorous criticism of farmers, which was replied to with equal vigour on their behalf was made at Forden tribunal on Friday, when 56 cases were dealt with. At the outset a resolu- tion was read from the Welshpool and Dist.ricr Farmers Union, stating that owing to the want of cottages for married men on many of the farms in the county it was absolutely necessary that single men should be retained in sufficient numbers for the proper cultivation of the land. The Chairman (Mr. T. H. Tonge) said he would have thought that, after the reception which the resolution had received from other tribunals, the Farmers' Union would have with- drawn it. There. was no doubt about it that there were plenty of married men to be got in the county, and it appeared to him that it was possible the Farmers' Union thought the single men were cheaper. His experience was that there were plenty of men to be got if the farmers were prepared to pay them a living wage. He knew of one case in particular, where a man was sent for. He was a very good man, a man who was absolutely reliable. He offered to work from daylight to dark, and the farmer offered him the beautiful sum of 10s. per week. He could quite understand farmers offering a wage of that description if they were not mak- ing enough. But the farmers were making enoug-h., They were making piofits up to 100 and 150 per cent. There were cases where farmers were actually discharging men who were asking for la. olr y 2s. a week more, men who have been with them a number of years. It appears to me (added the chairman) that the single men are not absolutely required; the farmers want them because they are cheaper. I take this cottage business as a sort of bluff, There is always a day of reckoning in all tiiings. In the past years I understand it has been the custom, wherever the farmer could get a piece of land and a cottage on it, simply to take the land and let the cottage go to rack and ruin. This is the day of reckoning. These single men the required, and the married men should be left at home with their wives and families to do the work. If we do not take these single men there is nothing for it but for the military to take them themselves. They can put th», Conscription Act into force, and then there will be nothing left but to take them. For many of these single men have been shielded, and it is not fair to the married men. We all ought to do our duty, and, from this resolution, 1 do r.ot think the farmers are standing up to do their bit, and are not trying to keep the married men by giving them a living wage." The Agricultural Representative, Mr. T. Williams, who is also President of the Farmers' Union, said that in iustiea to the agricultural community he should have an opportunity to reply to the Chairman's very unfair remarks. He said there were plenty of married men to be had.—The Chairman: Yes.—Mr. Williams: With that I entirely disagree.—(Several mem- bers Hear, hear). The resolution was really sent because of some indication on the part of the military that single men should be taken from the farms even when the farm could not be carried on as it ought to be without single men. They felt there were no married men available or cottages for them, and the critical time was now coming for the single men, upon whom many farmers were entirely dependent.— The Chairman: You cannot say that, because the farmers are not dependent on them.—Mr. Williams: Yes, in certain districts of the county. —The Chairman: You cannot say tliat.-M,.r. I Williams: In certain districts in this county the farms are entirely carried on by single men. If you take all thesa single men from these dis- tricts it is quite impossible to replace them. Those are my views, and I think the tribunal will have to bear me out in the matter. It comes to this, that the land cannot be cultivated if these single men are taken. In face of the Government's declared policy, there must be sufficient men left on the land to do the cultivation. That means the tribunals should not take them unless there is some means of filling their places with other labour. The reason the cottages are scarce is not the fault of the farmers. ThU resolution was not intended particularly for this district. There has been some cnticism of farmers in the Press. It rather appear* that you (the chairman) have taken particular notice of this criticism. The bulk of it is most rotten and unfair. (Heftr, hear, from several mem- bers). There are remarks such as that farmers have not done their duty in the harvest, and that they have knocked off at 6 o'clock when the hay was ready to carry. I challenge you or the military representative, who travels the county — —Mr. Richards> I am not taking any part in this discussion, so do not challenge me.—Mr. Williams: I thought you would like I to say something.—Mr. Richards: I say noth- ing. I think this is very irregular.—Mr. Wil- I liams: I am speaking to the Chairman, and I think his remarks very unfair.—The Chairman: I You are getting off the subiect. Your remarks were on the Press. 1 was speaking on the reso- lution.—Mr. Williams: I think your remarks were based on what has appeared in the Presfi. —The Chairman: Nothing of the kind. I am t speaking of my owi experience.—Mr. Williams: I think your experience is not founded on fact. -The C h airman- Would it surprise you to know that I have four applications for the place of a man who is leaving me? There are plenty of men walking about. to-day, and if the farmers would pay them a proper wage they could en gage them.—Mi'. Withers: Tut, tut.—Mr. Wil- liams; I should like to disprove that statement, I —The discussion then dropped.

I ST. ASAPH PROPERTY. I The Plas-yn-Cwm estate: of 210 acres St., Ah, whicih was recently cfieisdi for gale by auction at Denbigh by Messrs. Frank Lloyd and Sons, of Wrexham, has been sold privately to Mr. Trevor Eyt-on, of HolyweM, who expects to take up Ms neesi- dence tlaeTe, shortity.

A suggestion for the abandonment of Smith- field Show this year will be discussed by the Smithleld Chib to-day. Cattle hair and ail articles manufactured from it and all preserves containing meat have been put on the list of prohibited exports from Holland. High prices were made for new grain m Stamford Corn Exchange on Friday, 68s. per quarter being realised for malting barley, beating all previous records. New wheats and oats fet.ched up to 63s. and 34s. respec- tively, and peas 190s. Negotiations are pending between Germaay and Prance with a view to uniting imprisoned brothers, near relatives, and friends in the same prisoners' camp if they wish. A prisoner of war named Wilhielm Bin- hammer (35), interned at Knookaloe Detention Camp, Isle of Man, was on Saturday com- raittecl for trial by the Peel stipendiary on the charge of having wilfully murdered Edward Lehndorf, & fellow-prisoner.

A ROLLING STONE," DEBTOR WHO WAS FOND OF ROAMING ABOUT. The roving career of fA. debtor who came 111 for his pab?c exa.mMM.tio?? a.t Wa?s?ann Bank- ruptcy Court on fhftu's??y led the Reg?cra.r; W. A. 0. Pre&ton ra?h?ir umorou&ly to deai?' nate him as "a. roiling stone." The man's name was David Taieb, an Arabian Jew, of la, The Cross, Oswestry, lately residing and caarv-ing cm business at Beech Road ,Ba.rmouth and also at 2, Terraoe RIoad, A, trading at each plaiQe aa "R. Fuller," confectioner. The state- anient of affaiav disdogfed habSiEes amounting- te L241 lis. Id.. and estimated aawte of £¡2 7a. 2d., leaving a deficiency of £ 229 3a. lid. The owases of failure were stated to be "loss of business &t Southaea, Hampshire, loss by reason of the death of a step-daughter, loss by reason of no businear being done in winter at Barmouth, the war, ill- nem of m?mbeim of family, and low owing to re- istriotix?n of I Mr. F. C. ?9, O.swtry, appeared for & btotr, who is 40 years of ftge, and was described as a confectioner. He lived and carried on business at Oswestry from November, 1915, until June 29, 1916, the date of the receiving oader. In reply to the Official Receivie-r (Mr. LI. Hugh Jones), debtor, speaking in broken English, jeaod he was born at Tunis, in Arabia, and wtus not a naturalised British subject. He was wihat was known as an Arabian Jew, his mother-tongue being Arabic. In 1897 he was employed as a freight collector and clerk on the railway at Lausanne. SwitzenWnd. The Official Receiver: Thene you spoke French, I su ?- e& Do you gpeak any other language?—A litftle bit of an and a little bit of Gkrajan- Later in the same year, debtor eonitiisned, he came to England and was employed in Gormee bakery in London; during that period he alao gave French lessons for a. time. In 1898 he re- turned to Tunis. Why did you do tha.t ?-Well, I was young and foolish. I wanted to roam about, Wihat did you do in Tunis?—Handly an at, all, and I bad to oomie hack to Switaorland. That was in 1900. He remained ait Geneva for a time, but soon came on again /tJo England, wber# he remained until 1904. He was at urst empk>y»a in a bakiery, but afterwards sftaxted working in exhibitions as a salesman, being employed a.t Earl's Court and also at NoJftinSham. In 1903 he married his present wife, who was then a widowed Englishwonian named Amy Fuller ta. wie d d i 6roy. wedding taking- ptaoe at the ry Office, Croy- don. In 1904 he went over to America as a sales- man in an exhibition at St.. Louis. United States* leaving hie wife in England; the following yeaff he occupied a similar piosition at an exhibition in Liiege. In 1906 he started a busines as a fancy goocis dealer at Somthaea. Hants. He had no capaal but borrowed :clo, from his wife's rele, itrves; i, t the end of the following year he wae sold up for renf, and in respect of that business there were stiU some debte owing. He attribulted his failure tihere to the illness of his step-daughter, who suffered from daeumatio fever, and who diea in 1913. Later, debtor ha.d jobs as & ml- gg in 19W13h.i, te City and Earl's Court, LoQaon, ao<t an 1911 he entered into iop with a Turk named Sharki at Basrmouth as fancy goods dealers. He (debtor) had no capital, bit h. was to receive 40 per cent. of the net pmfite, Mr. Sharki taking The Dem?nMig- percm?age, Eventually, the pa?nerahip was d3GS*lTed ana Mir. Sharki undertook to pay the li&MUty of the partnership, pebtor afterwards opened shops at -out -d Ab-yetwyth, and also one aA Obelten'ham, 5weets and nonalcoholic Oh' e l tern,li non-alcoiolio drun ks. Ohdte'n'hWa.mh, ikt at Aberysiwyth, he w&s fined ire?ui?rjy every week foT a year for Snnd&y trad- in%: the fine was 5a., but on t?e earlier oocMioM with <costs it amounted to 1&. a week. He mb- sequentJY rMno?ed to Oswestry and opened & i?imi!ar businem there at a for whie he 'ba? to pay £ 3 a nKM?h, inotudÎhg rate5 _V he went to Opwestry, debtor M?ied b* W8$ Ea? lowing tie troops to do bu?imsss. The examination was closed.

Sighting ttv Grille. We itvo below the lt*Ws of exurift *Ad ittaEek aS Greenwieh. Lights generally are required on vehieft and cycles from half an hour alter sunset until ball an hour before sunrtw. a.m. p.m. Friday, Sept. 29 6 58 8 ø 8turday, S?pt. 30 6 0 6 40 Sunday, Ootober 1 7 2 6 88 Monday, October 2 7 8 fi se Tuesiday, October S 7 4 6 S4 Wednestdiay, October 4 7 6 681 Thiur I October b, 7 8 8 SS [The hours given up to September SO are "summet time, on and after October 1 Greenwich time.)

Exemption for Young Farmers. At Wellington Rural Tribunal, on Thursday, among a large number of claims for exemption from military service only three were refused. Most of the applicants were farmers' sons, young farmers, of farm workmen, and most of them were given conditional exemption. Exemption was also given in several cases to men passed by the Medical Board as fit for general service. Captain A. C. Eyton (recruiting officer for the area) attended the tribunal, and intimated that there was great need of more men for the army, and if the young men did not serve there waS a possibility of older men being called to the colours. The military authorities were- "combing out" men from the works, and it was also necessary that as many men as possible should be released from the agricultural dis- tricts. trii&?s.e Military Representative (Mr. Dugdale) said the Advisory Committee had passed a resolution to the effect that all single men under 30 and medically fit should be called to the colours.