FARMING AND FOXHUNTING 



each under a Corporal guard. They were never 

 the least bit of bother or trouble, and I must say 

 they did me a great service, for by this means I 

 was able to keep two sets of threshing tackle running 

 full time. 



What a consternation was caused in Aldbourne ! 

 When the news got abroad of my intention to plant 

 prisoners of war in the village, the parson wrote me 

 a very sharp letter hinting that the morals of their 

 country village would be endangered by my out- 

 rageous proposal and would I not give it further con- 

 sideration ? But believe me, after the first excite- 

 ment had passed they were accepted as a part of the 

 working community of the village and never gave 

 the slightest trouble. 



When taking stock of the labour situation to-day 

 in the midst of this second war, I see a great simi- 

 larity to those days of 19 14. The Army supplied 

 a certain amount of help, and I was fortunate to 

 obtain a family of Belgian refugees, four good 

 workers they turned out to be. My wife met them 

 at Swindon station and found them all with labels 

 round their necks, addressed, " Whatley, Wan- 

 borough Plain." 



The Land Girls made their contribution, but I 

 must say our farm staff of men, those that were left, 

 continued to give their services with a loyalty which 

 was commendable, and I feel certain they will 

 extend that same loyalty throughout this present 

 struggle. 



The great ploughing-up programme came in 191 7, 

 and when I look back I am fully persuaded the 



42 



