30 JULY 1904, Page 13

SIR, — Our field of hay was sold standing. It was cut

early one morning, and by the evening of the second day—so fine and hot was the weather—the crop was almost ready to be carried. The farmer, however, decided to wait till next day. He is a hard-working man, and I felt very sorry for him when I awoke in the night to bear rain falling in torrents. But suddenly certain Protectionist reasonings came into my mind, and convinced me that this rain was really doing good. For, first, there would be more employment for the hay- makers. Second, the crop might be damaged to some extent ; this might make it necessary for the farmer to buy foodstuffs in the winter, which would increase employment in the food- stuff industry. These thoughts proved so consoling that I

fell asleep I—I am, Sir, &c., G. S.