SECTIONAL TRANSACTIONS.— M. 409 



Suggestions are made regarding the most profitable lines of research in 

 the industry and for improvement in its business organisation. 



Afternoon. 

 Excursion to Leeds University Farm, Askham Bryan. 



Friday, September 2. 



Discussion on Crop production, with special reference to the increased use 

 of mechafiical power (Dr. H. J. Denham ; Mr. S. J. Wright; 

 Mr. A. J. Hosier ; Mr. D. R. Bomford) :— 



Dr. H. J. Denham. — Basic problems of mechanised farming . 



The rapid spread of mechanised farming in Great Britain introduces a 

 number of problems in the displacement of labour. These are in many 

 respects parallel to those which existed in the industrial situation at the 

 beginning of the last century, with the difference that there is no appreciable 

 export trade to absorb increased production, but a substantial volume of 

 imports which can be reduced. Mechanised farming can be treated under 

 the two headings of extensive — large-scale — production of a crop of low 

 value per acre, and intensive — small-scale — production of high value per 

 acre. The two forms, and intermediates, may exist side by side on one 

 farm. 



Extensive mechanisation on rich land involves displacement of labour, 

 and on poor land finds place for more hands. The opening up of old 

 wheat and cereal land would result in increased employment and would 

 render available more land for crops of higher value. The reduction of 

 labour on large-scale units provides additional resources for subsidiary 

 enterprises. 



The main object of mechanisation is to render farming a more rational 

 or economic process. This can be done by making the farmer more inde- 

 pendent of seasonal and climatic conditions, and by reducing the amount 

 of seasonal employment. 



Specific problems of mechanisation are to adapt machinery originally 

 designed for large acreages and small yields for use in small fields and heavy 

 crops, and to extend the lower limit of the size of unit on which they can 

 be used. The process may be hastened by the return of the agricultural 

 contractor and the development of co-operation. 



The reduction of unnecessary transport, as exemplified on the Hosier 

 farm, is an important feature of any mechanised system. This is particularly 

 the case with manure, and the future of stock farming in this country will 

 be largely dependent on the proper observation of this principle. 



There is a large field for development in the future in the mechanisation 

 of tropical and sub-tropical crops in the Empire in conjunction with cheap 

 labour. 



Mr. S. J. Wright. — The rdle of the tractor in reducing farming costs. 



The economies which the tractor effects arise from the fact that it allows 

 one man to control a power output equal to that of several teams of horses. 

 On the other hand, both the capital expenditure involved and the compara- 

 tive lack of flexibility of a tractor as compared with a team of horses make 

 the planning of the whole outfit in relation to the work of great importance. 



