NOTES 109 



stood that the alteration to astronomical time before the application of longitude is 

 a real stumbling-block to many navigators. 



Much has been said about the difficulties which would be caused to astronomers 

 by the change. We do not think these objections have much weight except, 

 perhaps, that a discontinuity would be introduced into astronomical records. For 

 this reason it is desirable that the change, if adopted, should be adopted univer- 

 sally. Perhaps it would meet the case if civil time were to be adopted in the 

 national ephemerides, and if astronomers were to agree to publish their observa- 

 tions in civil time. 



The national ephemerides are prepared several years in advance, so that the 

 change could not be made in any case for a few years. The matter is, however, 

 under consideration by the Admiralty. Meanwhile, with a view to having the 

 subject considered, expressions of opinion as to the desirability of a change, and, 

 if considered desirable, as to the most suitable date for it, are invited by the 

 Astronomer Royal, Royal Observatory, Greenwich, and Prof. H. H. Turner, 

 University Observatory, Oxford. 



The State, Science, and Agriculture (G. W. Harris, Little Hundridge 

 Farm, Buckinghamshire) 



In these days when interference by the State is rapidly becoming a habit in 

 nearly every sphere of national activity, it may perhaps be not inopportune to 

 consider soberly the problem of agricultural development in so far as it is a 

 matter of official recognition. It is not to be assumed that State interference is, 

 per se, good for any department of activity ; but we seem to be rushing precipi- 

 tately after the manner of the most approved Gadarene porker into that steep 

 place. Hitherto agriculture has been a kind of happy hunting-ground for the 

 vote catcher. The ordinary politician, like his ancestral amoeba, engulfs what he 

 can and where he can, but his path is indeterminate, being guided only by the 

 opportunity for acquiring a brief notoriety. Consequently, a promise of more 

 beer for the labourer, or fewer hours, or extra help for dusting turnips was 

 considered a very liberal recognition in the matter of agriculture. A definite or 

 national policy was unthinkable. 



If after the war a return is made to unrestricted free trade — a procedure which 

 is possible in view of the ex-Premier's recent utterances— the case for agriculture 

 will be for ever damned. Under stress of circumstance and with the zealous, if 

 unenlightened assistance of the Government, agricultural practice has been greatly 

 modified in the last two years. The sole object of agriculturists at present is to 

 increase production in every possible way. A return to pre-war methods would 

 be disastrous to the farmer and calamitous to the nation. The farmer, after such 

 a material change, would be faced with bankruptcy if he was compelled to revert 

 suddenly to old methods, while the nation will be once more on the drift and the 

 immense sacrifices made by the fighting men will be rendered entirely nugatory. 

 Should, however, the problem of maximum production be continued as the 

 fundamental basis on which the new England is to be reconstructed, the 

 question then arises as to the best means to attain this end economically. 



The present governmental methods, which have their own particular merit as 

 the children of emergency, are not calculated to stand the test of normal times. 

 They are, for the most part, ill-conceived, ill-considered and poorly executed. 

 Judgment is too obviously lacking. Concessions are made which should never 



