1921.] 



A< ri< ujiTDBB Behind the Lines. 



809 



During the peri- I subsequent to the Armistice much had been 

 •-done by the Directorate in the direction of education. Educa- 

 tional courses were a- ranged not only on the G.H.Q. farm but 

 also on the various army farms, while some excellent courses 

 on a broader basis were held at certain veterinary hospitals. In 

 addition* demonstrations in tractor ploughing were arranged 

 whenever possible and proved very popular. 



Although not ari i nterprise coming under the auspices of* the 

 Directorate, which wa« not then in existence, no account of the 

 agricultural undei takings in the war zone would be complete 

 without a brief reference to what was generally known as the 

 G.1I.Q. Hay Scheme. 



In 1917 the Germans began to withdraw to the Hindenburg 

 line and large tracts of Land covered with grass fell into the hands 

 of the British Armies. It soon became evident that with a 

 little organisation v. lis land could be turned L o good account, 

 and it was therefore decided that as much hay °s possible should 

 be gathered to save tonnage. 



The area was surveyed and suitable portions were wired in and 

 pLc d out of bounds to troops, and all available mowing machines 

 were collected from the area. A considerable area of hay proved 

 worth reclaiming, and a detachment of sorn^ ^00 skilled men 

 were furnished for the cutting operations. wh'Te reinforcements 

 of unskilled labour were provided for the actual hay-making. 

 The work started on the 5th June. 1917, and for a week or so 

 the weather was favourable. The last part of June, however, 

 contained at least one wet week, while the latter end of July was 

 continuously wet. Notwithstanding this, 4,683 tons of hay were 

 cut. only 233 ton? being subsequently reject by the Central 

 Purchase Board. The remainder was prime miality. 



In conclusion a word of thanks is due fa all the French 

 Authorities with whom the Directorate cam^ in contact. No 

 praise can be too great for the help and as^ 1 ~->ce rendered on 

 all occasions bv officers of ^he French Mission bv the various 

 officials and agricultural offir-ers of the French Civil Authorities, 

 without whose loyal co-ou^ration and sympnthv the Directorate 

 ■ would have found it verv ditficult, if not impos 'hie. to carry out 

 the important work entrusted to them. 



