LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
RUMANIAN AGRICULTURE [To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.] SIR,—I much appreciated the letter published last week from your Bucharest correspondent, and am in entire agreement with what he says. I speak with a knowledge of the country and personal acquaintance with many of her leading men. The natural fertility of. Rumania is incredible. It was known to the Romans. Bearing in mind that a large percentage of the agriculture is conducted in primitive fashion, the produce of cereals is very large. I know of a large estate which was developed by an English company before the War, employing steam cultivators, and other up-to-date machinery ; and the manager, an experienced English farmer and a prominent member of the Royal Agricultural Society, told me that he had never before realized how bountiful were the gifts of nature.
Undoubtedly, cutting up the great estates, and dividing them among peasant proprietors has retarded production, though, we must hope ultimately when the peasant realizes his opportunity, and learns to appreciate a higher standard of living, that we shall see a great increase in production. The question of transport overshadows everything, and only those acquainted with the country can realize what a gigantic task this is. It does not seem possible to do much unless a large foreign loan can be successfully negotiated, and that would open out many important questions.—I am, Sir, &c., A. JoaN F. KESILY. Royal Rumanian Consulate, Tenby Street North, Birmingham.
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