6 JULY 1929, Page 20

HAY AND RAIN.

Brown lawns and fields tell clearly enough of the lack of rain-44- inches in place of a normal 11 inches—during the year. Some hayfields on the chalk and limestone will be left uncut. However, where hay exists, it has been cut and carried with the minimum of expense and in the shortest possible time. More than this, clover has flourished abun- dantly; and some of the leys at any rate are excellent. In Oxfordshire, as no doubt elsewhere, some of us saw labourers carting and stacking hay by moonlight. Some farmers say that they have seldom, if ever, seen the pheasant and partridge chicks so big and strong at hay time., W. BEACH THOMAS.