THE POSITION OF THE AGRIMOTOR.
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The Number of Agrimotors in this Country Not Having Increased Lately, it is of Interest to Consider the Relation of the Appliance to Present Farming Requirements.
(ICING the rounds again of the implement seckit tion of the Royal Show, with its splendid array of modern appliances, prompts a consideration of that important implement, the agrimotor, in the light of present-day requirements. There is not, probably, another industry the position of which changes so quickly as that of farming, and, speaking somewhat paradoxically, there is no other industry where the followers thereof cling so enthusiastically to the old methods of working.
In the enormous and varied collection of appliances at the Royal Agricultural Society's Show it would almost seem that nothing has been forgotten in the effort to introduce the best and most scientific devices for carrying out the operation of farming on the most up-to-date lines, In spite of all this there is still a good deal of clinging to the old methods and the old ways.
Anticipations That Have Not Materialized.
Speaking of the changes which take place in agriculture, one is reminded particularly of the agricultural tractor boom of a few years ago, when machines of all kinds were to be seen at every show, and tractor trials were held annually to demonstrate and test the merits of the many agrimotors taking part.
It was thought then, having regard to the extent to which the horse had been ousted from the roads by the motorcar arid the motor lorry, that the agri motor was bound to take the place -on the farm which, up to that time, had been occupied by the horse. Since then changes in the agricultural / position have forced farmers to neglect the agrimotor and to fallback on the use of horses. The decline of the agrimotor during recent years must be measured not from the point of view of its failure as a power farming appliance, but from the decline that has taken place in agricultural prosperity.
The Improvement in the Agricultural Outlook.
During the past 12 or 18 months there has been a decided improvement in the agricultural outlook, although it is. not yet what one would like to see. Already, however, there is a decided tendency to employ, as far as possible; the most up-to-date methods ; and the agrimotor is not being neglected In this respect. The lack of demand for horses on the roads has made horse-breeding an unprofitable business. Every year there is a decline in the number of colts reared. Up to the present the decline in horse-breeding and that in the use of the agrimotor have coincided with the very alarming falling off in the arable acreage.
Now another change has come. The revelations shown in connection with the proceedings of the Food Commission lately were by no means overdone, and the position with regard to the world's wheat supply is very serious. The work of the Commission in laying before the public the serious ness of the situation was very useful. But, to the minds of many people who understand the position, the Commission failed with regard to the supply and price of wheat when it merely suggested the control of the wheat market without considering sufficiently ways and means of providing an adequate supply. Obviously, there is only one thing to be done, and that is to increase the area .under grain.
The day is not far off when there will be a crisis In the supply of wheat for this country. At any moment the slightest international disturbance would place us in a very serious position. Then it will be a case of breaking up land and growing wheat at a break-neck speed in order to avoid famine. The only way to ensure a fairly good supply of wheat grown in this country is by providing cheap methods of production. This at present can only be done by means of the agrimotor, and it would appear that there is quite a good future for the appliance, perhaps sooner than appears. Many farmers make a point of keeping at least one agrimotor, usually of the general-purpose type, so that it can be employed for hauling and belt work as well as on the land.
The fact that prices of agricultural tractors have been so much reduced as to bring them well within the means of any purse and the consideration that they possess general utility should render one an asset on any farm.
There will he an opportunity at the Show of examining a few—unfortunately, only a few—of the latest and best in agrimotors, and there should still be much knowledge to be gained. Many millions of pounds have been devoted to the production and testing of the agrimotor. These efforts have been conducted along the right lines. The agricultural depression has prevented the full use being made of the results, but ultimately their full value will be realized.