II44 Agricultural Labour during January. [feb., 



bush, compared with 189,075,000 bush, in 1918 ; and oats, 

 394,387,000 bush. compared with 426,312,000 bush. {London 

 Grain, Seed and Oil Reporter, 26th January, 1920.) 



The monthly crop report of the Ministry on ist February was as 

 follows : — The weather of January was mild but wet, and the rains 

 hindered field work in all parts of the country. 

 Agricultural In the west little cultivation was possible, 

 Conditions in England except on the lightest lands, but in the 

 and Wales east conditions were rather more favourable, 



on 1st February. and fair progress was made, though he&vy land 

 was generally unfit to work. Cultivation is 

 still fairly well forward for the time of year. Young crops have done 

 well during the mild weather, though occasionally they have suffered 

 from the wet on low-lying, heavy lands. Wheat is very promising, 

 being regular and Wealthy, and oats are also satisfactory. Beans are 

 a good plant, but are often backward. 



Ewes are healthy, but they are not in good condition as a rule ; 

 they have generally suffered somewhat owing to the scarcity of keep 

 and the w^et weather, and have frequently lost condition during January. 

 Lambing prospects are, how^ever, considered favourable. The fall of 

 lambs among early flocks has been satisfactory, and the young lambs 

 are healthy and doing well. 



The scarcity of winter keep is telling on other live stock also, and they 

 are usually only in fair condition. The mild weather, which has 

 allowed cattle to be kept in the fields to a greater extent than usual, 

 has helped to conserve the small stocks of fodder, but supplies are still 

 short; though the position in this respect is relatively easier than a month 

 ago. 



There is a sufficient supply of labour in practically all districts, but 

 skilled men, more especially horsemen, cattlemen and hedge cutters, 

 are not always available. 



The following local summaries give details regarding agricultural 

 labour in the different districts of England and Wales : — 



Northumberland, Durham, Cumberland, 

 Agricultural Labour and Westmorland. — The supply of labour is 

 in England and Wales generally equal to the demand, but skilled 



during January. men are still required in some areas. 



Lancashire and Cheshire. — ^The supply of 

 labour is on the whole about sufficient for requirements, though in 

 some districts skilled men are scarce. 



Yorkshire. — The supply of labour is, as a rule, sufficient ; but horse- 

 men, shepherds and cattlemen are in demand in some areas, and in 

 one or tw^o districts of the West Riding more casual labour is wanted. 



Shropshire and Stafford. — The supply of labour is, as a rule, sufficient, 

 but skilled men are still difficult to obtain in some areas of both counties. 



Derby, Nottingham, Leicester, and Rutland. — The supply of casual 

 and unskilled labour appears to be adequate, but there is still a shortage 

 of skilled men. 



