1920.] Machinery for Food Production. 305 



During the winter of 1916-1917, when the Government 

 decided that the greatest possible area of hind must be brought 

 Machinery under cultivation, the Food Production 



and Implements Department was organised to carry out 

 for the policy. It soon became apparent 



Food Production, that to overtake the work properly, 

 farmers would require great assistance in the shape of machinery, 

 horses and implements, as the farming machinery and im- 

 plements available were insufficient, and the War had made a 

 tremendous call on men and draught horses. The only alter- 

 native was to concentrate for the greater part on mechanical 

 cultivation. Very few tractors were to be found in this country, 

 and these were mostly experimental, but a start was made by 

 hiring available machines, and by obtaining the loan of heavy 

 caterpillar tractors from the Russian Government, until such 

 time as large numbers of up-to-date tractors could be procured. 

 In all, 666 machines were thus obtained. At the same time, 

 arrangements were made to purchase sufficient machines to 

 supply other Government Departments, and private owners 

 who could make full use of them. In all, 5,180 tractors were 

 used for the Department's Scheme, while other users were 

 supplied with 5,628. Though the Food Production Depart- 

 ment desired to foster the trade in this country, it was found 

 that agricultural engineering firms were fully employed on 

 munition work, and that this country could undertake the 

 manufacture of only 645 tractors and a limited number of 

 implements This left no alternative but to turn to the 

 United States of America for the bulk of the required equip- 

 ment. Trials had already proved the need of a lighter machine, 

 and accordingly 6,000 Fordson tractors, 2,600 Titan tractors, 

 and other tractors of American make, were ordered. The wis- 

 dom of this policy has been proved by the demands made for 

 these tractors, which are still in steady request. In all, three 

 English and thirty imported types of tractors were tried by 

 the Department. With a view to standardisation of spare 

 parts, attention was concentrated on four makes, Clayton and 

 Shuttleworth, Saunderson (English makes), and Fordson 

 and Titan (U.S.A.). Certain discarded machines had proved 

 useful, but the types named had preponderating merits. It is 

 noteworthy, as confirmation of the Department's choice, that 

 very few of the discarded types were represented in last year's 

 trials at Lincoln. 



The supply of implements was difficult owing to the many 

 different soils and to local prejudice. For use in connection 



