1921.] Kevival of Sussex Taijle Poultry Industry. 937 



the neighbouring county of Kent, being stone ground, and the 

 stones specially dressed in accordance with a particular method. 

 This product of the local mills is weighed as 80 lb. per bushel 

 in the Heathfield district and as 32 lb. in the Uckfield district. 



The pre-war price of the Sussex ground oats ranged from £S 

 to £9 or £10 per ton, and the price to-day varies from £26 to 

 £S0 per ton according to the quality of oats obtainable and the 

 district to which the meal is to be delivered. 



The prices of appliances of all sorts also show a considerable 

 advance, and freight charges are much higher. The following 

 figures have been supplied to the writer by the Railway 

 Company : — 



Charges for carriage of dead poultry from the principal stations 

 serving the chicken fattening districts : — 



1913 ... ... 1/6 per cwt. to London. 



1/7 



Sept., 1920 2/9 



Charges for carriage of lean live birds from Ireland to East Sussex : — 



1913 G/10^ per cwt. . 



Aug., 1920 8/11 „ „ 



Sept., 1920 12/6 „ „ 



It will be noted, of course, that in the case of the Irish chickens 

 (when obtainable) the double freight and increase has to be 

 borne by the finished product. 



Local Opinions on Prospects. — An extended personal inquiry 

 throughout the districts mainly concerned reveals the existence 

 of some difference of opinion regarding the prospects of progress 

 in the attempted revival of the industry. 



A fev^ cases may be mentioned. Of two of the most 

 important firms of millers engaged in the production of Sussex 

 ground oats on an extensive scale, and consequently in a 

 favourable position to gauge the trend of events in this industry, 

 one states that the recent demand from rearers outside the 

 locality (throughout the country generalh*) has increased con- 

 siderably, and that within the past few months orders from 

 local fatteners indicate a much more rapid progress than has 

 previously been made since fighting ceased. The other firm, 

 writing in reference to another division of the locality, states 

 that some fatteners have re-commenced on a minor scale, and 

 adds that ' ' it will be several years before anything approaching 

 a pre-war industry will resume, and in future we are of 

 opinion that the industry will be divided among many more 

 people than of yore, and will be treated more as a side line." 



