19 k 20.] The Development of Bubal Industries. 621 



in a cool, dry place, will keep for months. Herbs for flavouring 



should be dried, and the leaves rubbed off the wiry stalks and 



kept in well-stoppered bottles. 



****** 



The county of Essex is setting a good example in the pro- 

 motion of village handicrafts. At Coggeshall a tambour-lace 



m , _ . . industry has been established, and at 



The Development l3 , .„ , , , 



- : iiraxted the villagers have taken up doll- 



of Rural , . & „ . , ,. 1 , 



_ . . . making. Classes of instruction and the 



Industries. , , 8 ,. , . . , , . 



actual practice ot rural industries are 



carried on at Ingatestone, Dedham, Halstead, Kelvedon, 

 Finchingfield and other centres. For the last ten years the 

 Essex Handicrafts Association has furthered the work of 

 instruction and organisation, and it is anxious to revive the 

 ancient handicraft of rush-plaiting, still understood by some 

 old residents who have preserved their skill, although the 

 industry itself has fallen almost into disuse. It is proposed to 

 encourage the older people to instruct the younger in the 

 methods of what may be regarded as virtually a lost art. 



Throughout the country the Home Arts and Industries 

 Association is doing excellent work, and to this body many 

 County Associations are affiliated. Instruction is given in 

 modelling, casting, joinery, wood and stone carving, turning, 

 carpentry, inlaying, brass and copper work, bent-iron work, 

 band-spinning and weaving, toy-making, embroidery, rug- 

 making, pottery, leather work (embossed and cut), and 

 basket-making. Many branches of the National Federation of 

 Women's Institutes have also started village industries, and 

 are rinding a ready market for their wares. County Agricul- 

 tural Committees, it is suggested, will be able to give valuable 

 help in co-ordinating and furthering rural enterprise in 

 handicrafts. 



General advice and information as to the organising and 

 conduct of societies is provided by the Rural Industries Branch 

 of the Ministry. 



****** 



During the coming winter the prices of jam and of sugar 

 are certain to rule high. It is, therefore, not inopportune to 

 Jelly from Cider reca11 P articulars of a method by which a 

 Apples supply of apple jelly can be made cheaply. A 



few years ago, when the possibility of con- 

 verting cider apples into jam or jelly was investigated in the 

 laboratories of the National Fruit and Cider Institute at Long 



