683 



whole, and the G.H.Q. troops area. The headquarters of each 

 of these Forraations had to ascertain the demands from the 

 units within the area of its command, and to incorporate them 

 in one combined application to G.H.Q. All produce harvested 

 as a result of the scheme was to be taken over by the Director 

 of Supplies at a flat rate of 10 centimes per lb., and at the 

 end of the year the loan from the By-Products Fund was, 

 so far as possible, to be repaid. 



At the same time, in order that the undertaking might be 

 extended to all available units and, above all, might be properly 

 supervised, steps were taken to obtain particulars of all officers 

 serving in the Army in France who possessed agricultural 

 qualifications. 



The two photographs (Fig. 1 and 2) which accompany this 

 article show work proceeding on an Army Form. In Fig. 2 

 it will be seen that opportunity has been taken to plant potatoes 

 in the bottom of a disused communication trench. 



Towards the end of 1917, however, progress was made in a 

 new direction with a view to expanding the scope of the under- 

 taking, and after discussion with the Home ^Authorities and 

 certain inspections of suitable areas by Dr. F. Keeble, of 

 the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, it was decided by 

 G.H.Q. to establish a Central Farm for the British Expedi- 

 tionary Force as a w^hole, as well as lesser farms in each Army 

 area. All these farms, as well as all the other minor agricul- 

 tural undertakings already discussed, were to be placed under 

 the control and direction of a Director of Agriculture at G.H.Q. , 

 with representatives with the larger formations of the British 

 Expeditionary Force. 



It was not intended, however, that these central farms, which 

 were more especially designed for the production of potatoes 

 and cereals on a large scale, were to take the place of, or in 

 any way involve the doing away with of the vegetable gardens 

 that already existed all over the British Army area. 



The question of organisation consequent upon this decision 

 became one of great urgency. Suitable officers for service under 

 the Directorate had to be selected and large quantities of 

 machinery for the preparation of the soil had to be assembled. 

 Moreover, a suitable area had to be chosen and the necessary 

 agreement drawn up with the French Authorities. The area 

 ultimately selected was one of about 45,000 acres in the region 

 of Roye, which had been the scene of earlier fighting, but 

 was at that time between 30 and iO miles behind the British 

 Front. 



