24 SEPTEMBER 1927, Page 13

Doubtless it has yet to be proved how far any

crop-drier as yet perfected is economic ; but the cost is certainly not prohibitive and will be cheapened where electricity is available. Such a crop-drier as Colonel Lyon's, with cone, cage, blower, coke-furnace, and Dutch-barn roof, does not approach £1,000 ; and it is thought might pay for itself within a few years. There seems to be no good reason why any big farm should not be equipped with one or two (Colonel Lyon's has two) ; nor is there anything to prevent their co-operative use by groups of smaller farmers. In any event this Cheshire trial has been so successful that it demands the interest and atten- tion of the Ministry and of farmers. I understand that the Farmers' Club is making arrangements for securing further information.