FAITHFUL FARMERS.
The attraction of wheat is naturally very great. We can grow immense crops to the acre in England, because our climate permits, indeed encourages, autumnal sowings ; and to speak roughly, the longer a plant stays in the ground, the greater its yield : the striplings of spring cannot compare with it. It is because of this productivity that our chief " Plant Wizard," Sir Roland Bitten, prophesies the return of the wheatfield to the English farm. He himself has " created " a " stronger," that is, a better milling wheat than our forefathers knew, and it yields adequately. But wheat has a quality of its own that is too little regarded by its votaries. It travels supremely well in ships, and is easily handled, suffering very little loss or damage in the process. It does not require refrigerators or other expensive plant. Hence the whole world is its market, especially that part of the world which has accessible harbours. So it is likely to be always true that the production of milk and fruit and vegetables within this island will be freer from competitive challenge than of this mobile grain, that still keeps its sentimental hold on the affection of our farmers, in spite of the revolution in transport.
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