FA/MINA; BY :MACHINERY [To the Editor of Tim SPECTATOR.]
SIR,—As the former owner of WexcOmbe, perhaps a few lines from me will wit be without interest in this controversy. I purchased the property (1,700 acres) in 1908, and much of it was in a semi-derelict condition. At that time thirty-six working horses were employed and no Machinery except a portable engine. for threshing, I bought a set of steam' tackle to plough and CUltiVate the 1,000 acres of arable lanct gradually reducing the horses to twenty, and also aequired a suction gas plant for other work on the farm such as grinding corn, chaff cutting, root pulping, &c. It also provided power for electric light for house and bow sheds, and ran a 'Small -electric motor for mechanical As regards production, I grew:about 850 acres wheat annually and approximately the same aireage'ef oats, barley and beans. I kept a breeding flock of 900 ewes, -selling lambs annually between June and November, so _that for the greater part of the year. there were about double that number to feed. I kept about 200 bead of horned stock, ,and fatted a fair number during winter months, and an average of 100 dairy cows till after the war.started,,whep I found it more profitable to buy heifers and sell them as they calved down. Only a few pigs were kept_ and poultry for home consumption. , My wages bill came to £30 to £35 per week during winter months and about double that amount in summer, from hay making time till after harvest was over.
After the first three years, when:I had to spend a good deal Of money in getting the land clean and in good order, I made a moderate profit, and good profits during the war years in spite of the land deteriorating to some extent during that period through shortage of labour.
Had I kept on after 1919, I am afraid I should have lost money in common with most other farmers during the lean years subsequent to that period, and I take off my hat to Mr. Hosier if he has been able to avoid this, in spite of his poor opinion of his. predecessor and his methods.—I am, Sir, &c., K. 'A: illacAxnanw. Nero Oxford and Cambridge Club, 'Piccadilly, W.I.
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