LAND AND WATER 
August 29, 1914 
DAY BY DAY. 
FRID.VY, AUGUST 21st. 
The German forces entered Brussels and were met by the 
Buigomaster, who informed them that Brussels was an 
open and undefended city. 
SATURDAY, AUGUST 22nd. 
The Servian Press Bureau announced that the Servian 
Amiy had won a great victory on the Urina. The 
Au.'itVian losses were very heavy. 
The French War OfRco frankly adnuttod that the 
French reverse in Lorraine was more serious than was 
tliought at fii-st, but officially denied the ridiculous and 
exaggerated accounts sent abroad by the WolfE Bureau. 
SUNDAY. AUGUST 23rd. 
Since no reply was received to her ultimatum of Augast 
loth, Japan declared war on Germany. In oilicial 
Jap.inese circles it is considered that it will take three 
months to reduce the garrison at Tsingtao. They arc 
fullv provisioned for eight months. The Russian 
General Staff announced that the Russian Army had 
gained an important victory near Gumbenuen against 
a force of 160,000 Germans. 
The Germans are reported to Lave suffered enormous 
losses. 
MONDAY. AUGUST 24th. 
It was announced that Namur had fallen. 
The British forces were engaged all day on Sunday 
and after dark with the enemy in the neighbourhood of 
Mons, and held their ground. 
The British troops were opposed by two German Army 
Corps and two Cavalry Divisions. The British 
casualties were not heavy, but the enemy suffered very 
heavily. 
Luneville was occupied by the Germans. 
The British Commander-in-Chief, China, reported that 
on Saturday afternoon the destroyer Kennet, whilst 
chasing a German destroyer, S90, approached too close 
to the battery at Tsing-tau and sustained the following 
casualties — Three killed and seven wounded. 
The Kennet was not materially damaged. 
TUESDAY, AUGUST 25th. 
Mr. Asquith announced in the House of Commons that 
the Government had heard from Sir John French that 
the withdrawal already announced of his troops to their 
new position had been successfully effected. They 
were pressed hard by the enemy, who were, however, 
shaken off. 
The Field-Marshal provisionally estimated the casualties 
at something over 2,000. 
Lord Kitchener, speaking in the House of Lords, said : — 
" The Expeditionary Force has taken the field on the 
French north-west frontier, and has advanced to the 
neighbourhood of Mons, in Belgium. Our troops have 
already been for thirty-six hours in contact with a 
superior force of German invaders. 
'■ During that time they have maintained the traditions 
of British soldiers, and have behaved with the utmost 
gallantry." 
Lord Kitchener telegraphed to Sir John French'as follows : 
" Congratulate troops on their splendid work. AVe arc 
all proud of them." 
A telegram received by the Foreign Office reported that a 
ZeppeUn airship passed over Antwerp on Monday 
night. Six shrapnel bombs were dropped. Sluch 
damage was done to property, and twelve lives were 
lost. 
Such a bombardment constitutes a violation of Article 
26 of the fourth Hague Convention. 
WEDNESDAY. AUGUST 26th. 
Situation xmchanged. 
THURSDAY. AUGUST 27tb. 
Mr. Churchill announced in the House that the German 
armed merchantman Kaiser Wilhelm der Grosse had 
been sunk by H.M.S. Highflyer on the West African 
coast. 
This was the ship which had been tr^■ing to arrest traflic 
between this country and the Cape. It was one of 
the very few German armed ships which had been able 
to get to sea. 
The 8un-ivors were landed before the vessel was sunk 
The losses on H.M.S. Ilighfli/er were one man killed and 
five slightly mjured. 
A strong force of British marines has been sent to Ostend 
and has occupied the town without opposition. 
PRODUCTION OF FOOD. 
The Hoard of Agriculture and Fisheries have received from theif 
Cousultalive Committee the following recommendations, which must 
in all cases be dependent upon (1) local conditions, and (2) the circum- 
stances of the individual holding. The Agricultural Consultative 
Committee are of opinion that, jn the e.xisting circumstances agricul- 
turists should do all in their power to secure that the supply of home- 
produced foodstuffs may bo in excess of the normal. In this respect 
the requirements of the future with regard both to cropping and to tho 
maintenance of the fullest complement of live stock that holdings can 
usefully carry, must be carefully borne in mind. 
1. The acreage under wheat should bo largely increased wherever 
practicable. In this direction it should not be forgotten that on clea.n 
land, and by the aid of suitable artificial manure, good crops of wheat 
can be obtained in successive years. Attention is drawn to sect. 26 
of the Agricultural Holdings Act, 1908, which permits anj system of 
croppmg subject to the holding being protected from deterioration. 
2. Where wheat cannot be grown, the sowing of winter oats, v. inter 
barley, and rye might be substituted. These crops ripen early, and 
allow" the labour on harvest to be distributed evenly. 
3. The cabbage crop is also one to be considered where land can 
be spared. It provides a considerable weight of food suitable for 
ciriier human or animal consumption. 
4. There is much land of a certain class now under grass which 
would probably pay for breaking up. If this land is scheduled as 
arable in the farm agreement, the tenant has the option of ploughing 
it up. If it is scheduled as grass the Agricultural Consultative Com- 
mittee suggest co-operation between owner and occupier as to tlia 
advisability of breaking np certain fields in view of the national ques- 
tion of increasing home-grown foodstuffs. 
5.. Where a surplus of grass or clover exists ensilage might ba 
made. Particulars of the best methods can be obtained from tha 
Board of Agriculture Leaflet No. 9. 
6. The slaughter of immature or breeding stock of every descrip- 
tion should be avoided. Where circumstances permit the total head 
of live stock should be increased, particularly animals such as pigs, 
^^hich multiply quickly. 
Ewe lambs might with advantage be put to the ram towards the end 
of tlie year. 
7. While there should be no diminution in tho numbers of live 
stock kept, the strictest economy (subject to proper conditioning) and 
foresight with regard to feeding is advocated. 
The cheapest efficient forms of food should be used, and no waste, 
spaces capable of producing food for animals should be allowed. Nn 
recommendation is attempted as to the exact description of the food- 
stuffs to be grown, as this must depend upon the special circumstances 
of each case, of which generally the individual farmer will be the best 
judge; if in doubt, he can obtain advice gratis from tho recognised 
Agricultural College in his " Province," or from the County Agricul- 
tural Organiser. But the following crops among others are worthy 
of consideration : Trifolium, vetches, rye for spring feeding, and 
Italian rye grass. By adopting such measures the more valuable fooda 
would, so far as possible, be freed for human consumption. 
The composition of the Consultative Committee is as follows. Tho 
Riglit Hon. Sir Ailwvn Fellowes, K.C.B. (Chairman), Mr. Charles 
Bathurst, JI.P., Mr. Charles Bidwell, Mr. H. Trustam Eve, Mr. S. W. 
Farmer, Mr. C. B. Fisher, Mr. E. N. Nunnelev, Mr. Francis H. 
Padwick, Mr. G. Scoby, Mr. G. C. Smyth-Uichards, Mr. Richard 
S'.''atton. the Hon. Edvrard Strutt, Mr. Christopher Turaor, Messrs. 
A. Goddard ahd C. B. Marshall, joint secretaries. 
THE YEAR'S CROPS. 
TiiE Board of Agriculture and Fisheries have expedited the tabula- 
tion of the agriculture returns collected in June last, and are now abla 
tn estimate, subject to final revision, the acreage of certain crops, and 
the number of live stock in England and Wales this year. On the 
basis of the reports received from their Crop Heportei-s, the Board are 
able to make an estimate of the total production of the following 
crops : 
1914. 
Quarters. 
1913. 
Quarters. 
Increase + or Decrease — 
Quarters. 
Per Cent. 
Wheat 
7,320,000 
0,140,000 
0,100,000 
1,080,000 
433,000 
Tons. 
2,880,000 
6,642,000 
0,323,000 
9,379,000 
915,000 
422,000 
Tons. 
2,895.000 
+ 678,000 
-183,000 
-279,000 
+ 165,000 
+ 13,000 
Tons. 
- 15,000 
-HO 
Barley 
- 3 
Oats 
- 3 
3eaiis 
■H8 
Pea^! 
-^ 3 
Potatoes 
- i 
The wheat crop is not only 10 per cent. larger than in 1913, but 
is well above the average of the last ton years. The crop of beans is 
the largest since 1907, while that of potatoes is only slightly below 
that of last year, which was the largest on reccrd. 
UxDET*. its statutory constitution tho Road Board las availabia 
a considerable sum, at present over £1,000,000, to provide work upon 
the roads at such times as these. The Roads Improvement Associa- 
tion, in view of the disorganisation of industry consequent on the war, 
is compiling as rapidly as possible, for submission to the local authori- 
ties and the Government Departments, a series of suggestions for road 
improvements in various areas upon which this unemployed labour 
could be most usefully utilised. The various provincial branches of 
the Roads Improvement Association have been asked to send in lists 
for their respective districts. Readers not in touch with any of tha 
<R.I.A. branches who would like to submit proposals should" address 
communications to the General Secretary of the Association, Mr. 
Wall.ice E. Riche, 15, Dartmouth-street, Westminster, London, S.W. 
Details' sliould be forwarded of trunk and important roads that need 
widening, strengthening, and re-surfacing where the minimum amount 
of land is required, or whore it can be acquired without much difficulty. 
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