FARMERS AND BEEF.
Farmers are much interested in the controversy, first challenged by Sir William Haldane, over the question whether or no meat production is to be a standard source of wealth in Britain. There is no doubt that richer people are eating less meat. In the last, and wholly excellent issue of the Countryman, some astonishing figures are quoted on this head : " A group of hotels finds its meat consumption has fallen from 21,541's worth in 1925 to £745's worth in 1927."
In other words, the price is reduced by a half in two years. At the same time, as the number of the very poor decreases, more people eat meat and its total consumption increases. Meat is still regarded in many places as the sign and symbol of good living. One curious detail was given me by a London hotel keeper. He said none of his customers ate so much meat or so insisted on its perfection as the farmers who came up for Islington week. They still believe the queer super- stition that the British character is built on beef !
* * * *
Previous page
