FARMING AND FOXHUNTING 



machinery. He it was who eventually roped me 

 in as representing this northern side of the county 

 on the County War Committee. Dan Coombs was 

 another who did yeoman service in the south and 

 Ernest Pritchard for the west, to mention just a few. 

 On this Committee I remember first meeting 

 Richard Stratton, who has never looked back since 

 when called upon to give time and attention to 

 public work ; and there I must end. There were 

 others I know, but memory carries me no further. 



Finally the War came to an end. Many farmers 

 thought the moment opportune to retire from busi- 

 ness. I believe it was for those whose life-span had 

 given them a good run. They certainly were getting 

 out when they could recover their full farm invest- 

 ments. A " New Order " for farming was hardly 

 likely to suit their style. I believe they were wise 

 to make room for the younger men, and there were 

 plenty coming out of the Army who must again be 

 absorbed into civil life. 



It proved that these older men were wise in their 

 generation ; of course they had no intention of doing 

 it, but they did let in the younger generation to start 

 at top prices, which was their undoing for many 

 succeeding years. 



Prices and wages fell away at an alarming rate ; 

 nothing would seem to stop the spiral spin down- 

 wards. The Corn Production Act was swept from 

 the Statute Book, and the farming community left 

 to stew in their own juice. I really believe that 

 those farmers who were fortunate enough to make 

 money during the years of the War lost it, and in 



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