11 JULY 1903, Page 15

[TO THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR:9

Sin,—The English agricultural implement makers recently imitated an American example and formed a " combine " to protect the profits of their trade. The farmers strongly resent the step. The agricultural associations have passed resolutions condemning it, and the Somerset Chamber (others as well, probably) actually published a few weeks ago in the local newspapers an appeal (in the form of an advertisement) to farmers to patronise the outside firms, of whose names and addresses a list was appended. That shows how little the English farmers like Protection—against themselves.—I am,