Hgl IHOME GROWERS

published: 25th January 1918

people: David DaviesL He

locations: Douglas

organizations: Lee

Hgl HOME GROWERS EFFDRTS OF SWANSEA ALLOTMENT MLOERS MORE DIGGERS WAiTEO Mr. Leslie Haig, of the Food Production Department, addressed a meeting of al- lotment holders on Thursday evening in the Guildhall, the Mayor presiding. The Mayor said they were pleased to welcome the Commissioner. He would like to congratulate the allotment holders in Swansea, Mr. Bliss, and the chairman oi the Parks Committee, had worked very hard, but they looked none the worse for it. This war waa one of end urance. It was painful to witness tho scenes they had in the streets, and ho hoped, in the course of a week, they would be able to do away with queues altogether. (Hear, hear and applause). That was not a thing that could be done in a few moments; it required a lot of thinking out. They had been up to see Lord Rhondda and they spent two houra with him. Lord Rhondda knew what he was about, and he (the speaker) thought he was the right man in the right place. (Apphmsc.) He thought that everyone who had an allotment this year would want to keep it on in future. They did well last year, but intist do better this year. Any amount of land was available, they had but to apply to Mr. Bliss or Mr. Tunbridge. TO WIN THE WAR. Mr. Leslie Haig said England had in the past ha(l but few allotments; but to- day the allotments were going to win the war. The time had come when every available ton of shipping was necessary to r,ond men, munitions, and food to France. Every ton v.e use to import food meant the war going on so much longer. Before the war we imported -1(\ per cent. of our supply of wheat and two-thirds of other foodStufca. To-day the import of food- stuffs was stopped by half. Last year the average consumption of meat per head was 2 lbs. per week, but this year it was- going to be considerably less. Therefore we must make every acre pro- duce the maximum, and there was no fonu of culture which would produce a larger amount than the allotment sys- tem. Last year there were approximately a million allotment holders; they pro- duced nearly a million tons of food, and released a million tons of shipping, with which we were able to send shdls, men, I and food to France. The result had been the victories of last year. GREAT TRIAL COMING. They already felt the food shortage, I but a greater trial was coming. This year food conditions were going to be •vorso than they had been. We had reached the stage that Germany readied two years ago, only we were 50 per tent, better off. We could beat the Germans in hanging on as well as in lighting. Evoi-Y man and vomair who could spare six hours a week should cultivate an allotment. And as our boys in the trenches were lighting for seven days a week, we ought not to lie ashamed to fight the Huns with the spade on Sundays. Two perchoo would keep a family of four with vegetables for a year. The Swansea Council had promised him that afternoon that they would see to it that the bakers I{)t sutneient potattes to keep the bread ration up. NO FANCY CULTIVATION. I He urged them to grow carrot, beetroot, etc., aJnd not fancy things, and that pota- toe-a should be cooked in their skins. Every ton of potatoes that they grew was bring- ing peace nearer. In the course of the next twelve months, they ought to have 5.000 allotments in Swansea. It was their duty to the nation to encourage this move- ment in every possible way. A RELATIVE OF SIP. DOUGLAS. Mr. Tunbridge told tho meeting that Mr. Haig was a relative of Sir Douglas, llaig. (Applause.) The movement in Swan- sea was largely due to tho ex-Mayor, Mr. David DaviesL He ought to pay a tribute to the landlords, who had been very good and very patriotic. Everything that had been wanted from them was given. They would want more land, and he had no doubt they would get all they required. THE SKETTY SOCIETY. I Mr. Stanley Cook, Presilient of the Sketty Allotment Society, added that Mr. Haig had been fighting our battles in Gallipoii. (Applause.) They were now up against a very serious proposition. He mentioned that the Sketty Society would he acquiring a. further lUO acres within the next few days. People in this country had not yet realised as they should their responsibility in respect of lood produc- tion, He had been in communicti.tion with the secretary of the American National f ood Emergency Commission, and learned from him that last year there were $,000,000 more gardens in the United States, and they had turned out 465,000,000 cans and jars of fruit and vegetables, re- presenting a vuliie of 350,000,000 dollars. We should emulate their example. They should urge allotment societies to go in ior oauuers. The Government were, by arrangement with the American Govern- ment, providing a "Little Home Canner" av. a cost of S6 103., which would can fiOO quarts per day. Sketty bought one last July, Experimented with it. and came to lhe cóncluaioll it was !:íucces.sful. the conclusion it was successful. CABBAGES NOT FLO vVEHS. I Mr. J. H. Lee said they were delighted with the efforts of the allotment holders last season. They were now imbued with thp- desire to assist the Government, and every Britisher, in procuriu" food.. Per- baxxs those who could not take an allot- ment would be willing to take a epade and help another. A voieb; What is the committee going to cloP n Mr. Lee replied they had no funds, oould not reduce rents or give manure. He had himself grown cabbages instead of flowers. Mr. Parker said the allotment holders of ls-ft year had sav.ed the situation. A Question was asked if the date of the holding of th* allotments could not be extended. Mr. Haig said that was entirely a mat- ter for the Board of Agriculture. lnie.e the-time had. already been extended, and further extension depended entirely on future events. Several questions were put as to the supply of manure by the Corporation, and it tvajJ complained that a truck of manure hard been sent to Mumbles. Mr. J. H. Leo remained that directly this was discovered it was stopped. They could have road-sweepings free of cost. but must rav for haulage. WORK AND WORK HARD. Mr. Drummond remarked that all the talk in the world would not produce a single ton of vegetables. They must work, and work hard. Replying to another question, Mr. Haig «aid seed potatoes supplied by the Board of Agriculture would he down in time A uother man asked whether summer time could not lie ordered to begin two days before faster. That, said Mr. Kaig, was a matter for ( Parliament.. SEED POTATOES. On the matter of seed potatoes, iír. Drunmionu pointed out they were wanted at once, so (hat they could be sprouted in for a month or six weeks. foot of next column.) The profit allowed to merchants was not profit at all, but they would sup- ply the potatoes, from patriotic motives. (Applause.) The seed potatoes ought to be there now. If they did not get them soon, th-ey ought to communicate with the Government about it; and he hoped production would not be'impeded by any more restrictive orders. (Applause.) Mr. Haig said the Government was fully alive to the necessity of sending out seed potatoes in time, and he would put the matter before the head of his depart- m c- I On the important question of manure, Mr. HGCS (Killay) said he was prepared to give a lecture to any society that asked for it.He asked whether the restriction on some immune varieties, especially the jldjestic," could not be removed. Mr. J. n. Lee said that if this was not done, a deputation, would see the Food Controller on the subject. Thanks were given to Mr. llaig and the Mayer. Re- sponding, Mr. Haig said that lie had found near Swansea some cf the most flourishing allotments, and he congratu- lated the town on them. t