74 THE GREAT WAR 



Britain, and that the shortage in question will 

 not be a temporary one but will probably con- 

 tinue for several years. 



Prices will certainly rule very high. The 

 British farmer, however, under our system has 

 no control over prices. Prices are set for him by 

 the oversea producer and by the speculator. 



All these are conclusive arguments in favour 

 of the reform of our system of land cultivation as 

 advocated in these pages. A great responsibility 

 is thrown on the Government for providing 

 against this shortage. With wheat about 60s. 

 a quarter and almost a certainty of its becoming 

 higher, the time is most opportune to make a 

 beginning. No reliance can be placed on the 

 tenant farmer to supply deficiencies. The respon- 

 sibility lies with the Government alone. 



A meeting of the Central and Associated 

 Chambers of Agriculture took place in July 

 last, when the question of an increased area 

 devoted to wheat-growing was discussed. 1 



The discussion from a patriotic point of view 

 was depressing. The speakers appeared not to 

 be seized with the hideous realities of the present 



1 For a full report see " Journal of Associated Chambers 

 of Agriculture," July, 1915. 



