25 JUNE 1927, Page 12

A CHANGED HAYSEL.

More than one farmer, engaged in cutting his very thin crop of hay this year, has explicitly rejoiced in its insuffi- ciency ; and the attitude is very significant of the change in farming ideals. How loud were once the rejoicings over a heavy crop and the lamentations over a light ; but to-day the fear of the labour bill is such that almost anything that means speed and the saving of the sum of work is welcomed. A rather light crop that can be cut one day and carried with the minimum of teddering or forking or raking is now the ideal of a certain number of so-called producers. This year'' " haysel "—a good old word not used enough—is light because of frost as well as drought.