1(1 



Appondu to Evidence of Mr. \V. I>. M, V. 

 Arfrafr </ CM Statement* for tkr I^Maiu. 



C. Evidenoe-in-chief handed in by Mr. JoiiN 



I am a farmer residing at Struthers, Cupar, Fife. 

 Farming 1107 acres on mv own account, viz.. Stnitheiu 370 

 Struthen Barns 297 acres, ami Baltilly 240 acres, 

 all in parish of Ceres. I am proprietor of the first two 

 farms, Kininmonth 460 acres, also in the name parish, and 

 since 1!>14 I also managed the farm of Pilmuir 430 acres 

 Lundin-Links for a Trust Kstate. 



In response to an invitation to the Cupar Branch of 

 the I'm ii t prepare Cost Statements for various crops, 

 a Committee of 12 membeis went into the matter and 

 prepared estimates on potatoes, turnips, oats, barley, 

 wheat, also on fat cattle and sheep. These calculations 

 are based on the average cost of production and the 

 estimated average yield per acre of the land in East Fife. 

 Also on the average cost of beef and mutton. Evidence 

 on these costings I am prepared to support, if desired. 

 The general pre-war rotation of cropping in the district is 

 one of seven or eight years, viz., oats, potatoes, wheat, 

 turnips, barley an I hay. followed by one or two years' 

 pasture. Un tip : nns there was less pasture, and 



in the upland or poorer farms a longer rotation of pasture. 

 with considerable areas unit- |x-rmanent pasture. During 

 the war a considerable part of the pasture land was 

 brought under cultivation in response to the call for 

 increased food production. Generally speaking farms 

 have been greatly deteriorated through various causes, as 

 follows : 



(1) In consequence of old pastures being broken up 

 and cross-cropped, a shorter rotation of cropping 

 generally and residual mammal values used up. 



(2) Owing to shortage of the supply of feeding stuffs 

 for fattening stock, the usual supply of rich 

 farm-yard manure is not available lor the proper 

 emichmetit of the soil. 



(3) Owing to hay an 1 straw being taken over by the 

 military on farms where formerly used for 

 feeding stock, less farm-yard manures were 

 available for a largely increased area under 

 nihivation. 



(4) By the general use of quick acting mania. - 



Dg quick results, leaving no residual value. 



(5) Owing to shortage of labour during the war. 

 much of the land Tins been insufficiently wrought, 

 and is dirty and in Kid condition. 



(Ii) Farm buildings, fences, drain*, ditches, r 



have deteriorated or require attention. Little has 

 been done in repairs for the hist five years, owing 

 to shortage and cost of labour and material. 



D. Kvidenec-in chief handed in liy Mr. 



I am a Tanner ami Licensed Valuator, farming at 

 Burnhead, Hawick. I have also held other arable- and 

 stock raising farms. I am largely employed in arbitration 

 and valuation work in the South of Scotland and else- 

 where. I am at present President of the Teviotdale 

 Farmers' Club, a very old institution. The Club's trans- 

 aetioim and average prices of stork dating back to 1859 

 are in much request for reference purposes. 



The question I am asked to speak to is the cost of 

 fattening sheep. 



For that purpose I take the price of an average top 

 down cross lamb in the beginning of August, 1918, at the 

 average price of 212 ' 



'?'. 

 Keep on gnu* forage and seeds up 



till 24th ' : j weeks @ 8rf. 8 



Do. on whole turnips 4 weeks and 



nit do. 8 week* 



18 



STEWAHI, Struthers, Ceres, Cupar, Fifeshin-. 



Whether this increased area under cultivation 

 continue or not is entirely an economic problem. At any 

 rate, the rate of yield of crops per acre cannot be increased 

 or even maintained without a large and available increase 

 in suitable farm-yard manures and other fertilisers, 

 (ienerally. the cumulative fertility of the soil has greatly 

 deteriorated since 11)14. Outside suburban areas, win-re 

 no manure is available, cropping cannot exist without 

 stock-feeding to consume the straw, &c., and produce 

 manure. Stock-feeders havej received the utmost dis- 

 couragement under Government control. 



Very little concentrated feeding-stuffs can be "In 

 and for what little is available the price is prohibitive. 

 The price of the raw material in the shape of store cat tic 

 and sheep is uncontrolled and leaves no margin of profi'. 

 and frequently a considerable lobs to the feeder, as our 

 costing can prove. In pre-war days our principal supply 

 of store cattle was from Ireland. The best class suitable 

 for short keep cannot now be obtained. These are now 

 being sent over for slaughter (immature), and the Irish 

 man subsidised at the expense of the Government or the 

 Scottish feeder in respect of the freight and other expenses 

 from Ireland, to the extent of it. to Gs. per cwt., live 

 weight, being the difference in price between i 

 and half fat Irish animals in pre-war times. Killing im- 

 mature animals tends to keep available stores scarce and 

 dear, and is a distinct loss to our food supplies. Fewer 

 cattle and sheep are being fed, and there is little incentive 

 to turn to cattle feeding for profit. 



To bring back the land to its utmost productive capa 

 bilities, much requires to be done in cleaning, manuring, 

 liming, and draining the land and in repairs and improve 

 nients to buildings, fences, etc. This requires time and 

 capital. Many farmers have been compelled either to buy 

 or quit their farms, and are finding they are in a \cry 

 much worse position financially as landlord. The cost of 

 maintenance formerly borne by the proprietor is a serious 

 item, while many farmers are seriously alarmed at the 

 enormous increase in Bates and Taxes. For instance, the 

 Educational Assessment of Ceres Parish for this year is 

 1,442, whereas last year under the old School Hoard the 

 amount was 380, and about 8 or 10 years ago about 

 2."iO. Some other country (parishes I know are even in 

 a very much worse position. These heavy burdens tend 

 to hamper the development of the agricultural industry. 



I am prepared to give evidence in support of the fore- 

 going statements. 



(in IU.KT DAVIMSON, Burnhead, Hawick. 



. </. 

 Feeding-stuffs al an average of 1 11.-. 



IHT week for 15 weeks in n 



Death rate at 1 pjr score, less value 



of skin 016 



Dip] ling, carting, and for nets, 



stakes, turnip cutter, feeding- 



1)0X68, pulling and storini; turnips '_' n 

 Shepherding (n \<l. per head per 



ireek <> 2 



Deduct residual mammal value of 

 feeding-stuffs ... 



Total net cost 



