The Vanishing Farm-horse
SIR,—The letter from Mr. Mottram,•in your issue of February 22nd, broadens the discussion on the horse population to include the general question of rural craftsmen at the present day. Admittedly there are fewer craftsmen than there were, but they are by no means almost extinct as your correspondent suggests. Many of them retain their traditional skill, and at the same time have acquired a sound knowledge of modern techniques which they must have if they are to play a realis- tic part in the countryside today, e.g. the blacksmith has added welding and agricultural engineering to his crafts, and the wheelwright builds trailers and cattle trucks as well as carts.
The figures speak for themselves. There are about 5,000 rural blacksmiths and agricultural engineers in England and Wales; there are also 292 apprentices under the National Joint Council for the black- smiths' and farriery trades. The majority of the saddlers are members of the National Federation of Master Saddlers and Leather Goods Retailers; over 500 ply their craft in rural areas.—Yours faithfully, C. W. OLPHERTS (Assistant Secretary), 35 Camp Road, Wimbledon, S.W.19. _ Rural Industries Bureau.
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