CHAPTER IV 



WINTER BEEF 



IT may be said without hesitation that no practice is more 

 typical of empirical British industry than that of winter beef- 

 production. Its produce, "Roast Beef," is supremely typical qf 

 our home life, and yet, wheat-growing possibly excepted, few 

 items in our agricultural practice have brought more men to 

 financial ruin. I have, as it happens, known many who, being 

 in a very humble way of life, have told me of the glories of a 

 father or uncle who farmed in the good old style. Nearly all 

 these poor friends of mine I use the adjective in its literal 

 sense have told me, with obvious delight, when speaking of 

 the past, of the fat bullocks that were part of their family's pride : 

 very little inquiry led one to see how great a share these delusive, 

 if attractive, creatures had taken in the change in the family 

 fortunes. 



In the whole vicious cycle which unsound economic con- 

 ditions have forced upon our farmers, there is nothing more 

 disastrous than the methods prevailing among many who pride 

 themselves on the quantity and excellence of their winter beef. 

 Among these there are many who pay no attention to the help 

 which science has to offer; and their conceit in their own 

 success prejudices them against a test, by proper account- 

 ancy, of the money wasted in this, and other branches of their 

 industry. But despite their belief in their efficiency as practical 

 men, they fail, most of all, in their unbusiness-like way of 

 marketing their goods. Close observation of the markets for 

 about 20 years brings the conviction that this class of beef 

 might have been made profitable to grow, had it not been for 

 the over-supply resulting from the carelessness and self-satisfied 

 ignorance of those who produced it regardless of cost. 



The very best winter beef is skilfully fed with unstinted 

 amounts of " roots," a small amount of good straw and hay, and, 

 in some cases, most extravagant rations of cake and corn; in 



