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Seventy-second Year
Whole Numiber 3302
ARE THE BANKS REFUSING FARMER LOANS?
(By Grant Dexter, in MacLean's)
Are farmers of the Great Lakes of threshing, and he has ,no money to
urgently in need of credit? . clean up harvesting expenses, gray hir-
Are the banks refusing to extend ed help, store accounts, taxes, insur-
credit to them? ante. He applied for a loan to carry
'bank his family through the winter, and
With this alleged stoppage of
loans mean a severe curtailment of was refused. This farmer realizes
farming operations this year?' wellthat he is a poor banking risk, but
it mean slaughtering of livestock in says that, failing credit, he will have
order that • farmers may feed and to abandon his farm.
clothe their families? ? 3. A financial agent in a small
' town of Southern Saskatchewan states
In a word: Has our banking system
that scores of
in the rural West ceased to functionfarmershis diget advanc-
es it should function? have been•accustomed to
es from the banks of from $200 to
These questions have emerged as $500 to carry them through the win -
dominating factors in agrarian ter. Last fall these men were told
thought an the prairies. There are that nothing could be done for them.
audible rumblipgs of revolt against They were told that the power to loan
the present credit system. Western hall been taken from the local manag-
Miembers of Parliament seem unable ers and vested at head office.
or incapable of talking about much 4. This is the case of a fanner in
else. Northern Saskatchewan. He owns
The charge against the 'banks is 9160 acres valued at $25,000. In addi-
simply this: That, beginning in the tion he owns 'mortgages and agree -
autumn of 1930 orders were issued ments of sale valued at $20,000. His
formally or inforin•ally, to cease loam only liability is a loan of $1,200 at his'
ing to Western Canadian farmers, re- bank. He desires a further loan to
gardless of credit or security. The enable him to put in his crop. His
result is that scores of farmers who application has been refused. Like
have ample assets, although not in a wise, mortgage companies have de-
rm.
liquid form -assets such as land, life
dined A farmerlend �n Northernn his aSaskat-
insurance, livestock, bufildings--cane chewan owns 430 acres valued at $11, -
not obtain loans to carry on their ape 500. 'He owes $4,000 on the land, and
orations, to pay storekeepers for food $1,100 to.the bank. He was unable to
and clothing, to buy coal, to pay tax- borrow money to carry his family
es. Nor can they borrow to get in- through the winter and to put in a
to mixed farming, or to build up ex- crop this spring.
isting herds and flocks. 6. A farmer in Northern •Saskat?
These are the charges. They are chewan owns 800 acres clear of debt.
enunciated clearly in hundreds of let- He also •owns agreements of sale and
ters received at Ottawa in the past farmers' notes to the sum of $10,000.
three months. He has been accustomed to a line of
They have found public expression credit of $15,000. IHIe has been re -
through Hon. Robert Weir, Minister fused s. loan to put in his crop, al -
of Agriculture, in.two speeches. Mr, though he states that his present in -
Weir has spoken at Toronto and at debtednesp to the bank is practically
Montreal, and on both occasions he nothing.
asserted that banks are withholding 7. A farmer operating 1,600 acres
loans from farmers who have gilt- in Northern Saskatchewan, part leas -
edged security to offer. In fact, Mr. ed and part bought on crop payment,
Weir accused the banks of virtually has had a line of credit of $4,000. Last
Wei
Weirshuttingdown in the West in so far year he netted' thirty cents per bushel
on his wheat, paid the bank, but was
as credit is concerned, and pointed out unable to pay help, taxes, threshing
that existing discontent, such move- bill and store accounts. He has been
ments as the Wilkie Secession Associ- refused a loan to clear up these debts
ation, would be greatly stimulated by and to put in his 1931 crop.
such a policy on the part of banking , 8. This farmer lives in Southwest -
institutions. ern Saskatchewan. He operates 1,280
The reaction of leading bankers to acres, which, until last fall, were
the charge of curtailing credit in the practically clear of debt. He needs
Wleet has been'immediate and em- money to put in his crop. Last fall,
phi ic. General managers of the due to low prices and bad harvest,
banks, and the head of the Banker's he found himself without money and
Association, have entered a prompt awing the bank $13,000. To pay off
and specific die sial. They assert, pose this loan he put a mortgage on his
itively, that there has been no change farm. At that time he had a definite
in credit policy; that they are doing understanding with the local ;bank
business in the West upon the same manager that he would receive a loan
lines to day as in the past. to cover spring operations. He now
And so the issue is joined. There states that the loan has been refused
tribunal to which it can by head office, and his statement is
is no
publiccorroborated by the agent of the
be referred for decision. There are
no statistics, available to the public,
to show if bank loans to Western far-
mers have been curtailed. But since
the controversy began a steady stream
of letters has been coming to Ottawa,
confirming the statements made by
Mr. Weir in every particular.
I have gone through these letters
carefully. They indicate widespread
dissatisfaction with the present bank-
ing system. Tlwy are not all written
by disgruntled farmers. Far from it.
The gravest charges against the pres-
ent policy of the banks are made by
lawyers, doctors, ministers, storekeep-
ers and the financial men of the smal-
ler towns. Quite a few are from
Meilnbers of Parliament who, it would
seem, have been storm centres for
rural complaints. Some of the writ-
ers believe present banking methods
unsuited to agrictulture. Others be-
lieve the trouble lies with prevailing
policy, rather than with banking insti-
tutions.
Still more disturbing, thew letters
indicate a widespread feel!' of the
banks. Nine out of ten persons who
write to lodge -specific complaints in-
sist that their names be kept secret.
They want to tell their tale of woe—
privately. There is a deep-rooted be-
lief that the banks will visit and con-
dign `punishment upon the head of worth $97,000. He has $18,000 paid-
anyonel who voices public criticism. up life insurance. He owes the bank
Curiously, there is little antagon- $2,000 and other debts amounts to
ism t'oevard local bank managers. $5,000. He askd for a loan of $500
Western farmers, as revealed in their
letters to Ottaw, distinguish between
their treatment at the hands of the
local manager and the general policy
of the banks. They regard managers
with friendliness, often with affection,
and do not blame them because lions
have been refused. They identify the
policy against which they culminate
with the head offices of the banks,
with Western superintendents.
What, exactly, are the charges a-
gainst the banks? Since there is no
gauge by which banking practice in
the West in the past eight months
may be measured against preceding
periods, the only way to establish the approved by the local manager and
ease of the prairie farmers is to cite turned down at headquarters,
individual experiences. These cases provide a .fair example
Here are fifteen typical cases: of the complaints of Western farm -
1. A farmer in Northern Saskat• ers. Every one of them is on record
chewan owns 4,600 acres of land which at Ottawa. but their identity of can -
he bought at $44,000. He paid $15,- not be divulged.
000 cash and agreed to extinguish the F. Eliason, secretary of the United
balance at the rate of $5,000 per year. Fermiers of Canada, Saskatchewan
His farm is equipped with machinery section, cites two cases at Wynyard,
worth $1,700, all paid for. He has Sask., One farmer, with a large sur -
100 head of cattle, forty horses, fifty` plus of assets over liabilities, has ap-
sheep, 200 hogs. Be desired a loan plied for a loan of $75 to pay his 1930
from the bank to buy more Battle and threshing bill. He has beenrefused.
to pay operating expenses for last The other also has a surplus of assets
'harvest. He went to three banks. Two over liabilities, and has asked for a
local managers approved the loan, but loan of $60 for three weeks to finish
the head offices declined to confirm it. feeding three hogs and two steers. He
The third bank was located at an out- offered to have the returns from the
side point, and the fanner was • in- sale of these animals sent direct to
formed that this bank did not care to the banks, but his application was re-
etccept accounts in communities Sere- fused•
ed by other banks. This farmer has Mr. Eliason cites a third case of a
not got his loan. farmer.. who asked for a loan of $21
2, A farmer in Northern Saskat- last fall, to buy binder twine. He al-
chewan had a good crop in 1930 but so was refused',
the wheat was injured by rain chid A fourth ease is told in the first
snow. His Wheat netted him fine; person."In the fall of 1929 I paid
Bents per Weikel after paying freight up the bank as usual and then
and a coater charges. This was two borro{iaec1 of 2,000 bttshels of pool
tents per bushel lowelr than the octet certlfleates the sure of $250. In the
SEAFORTU, FRIPta
spring of 1930 1 asked the bank foi
a loan, of $75 for seeding operations
and was refused.''
A farmer et Kipling, Sask., reports
to Mr. Eliason as follows: "I am
dealing with the bank of I own
property :to the value of $20,000. I
owe the bank $1,000. I asked for a
loan of $26.40 to pay the premium on
my fire insurance, and was refused.'
Rev. John McKnight, a United
Chuech clergyman at Lafleche„ Sask.,
and chairman of the district Presby-
tery, writes to say that men who are
sober, honest and industrious are be-
ing refused loans. Many with good
security are being refused. He says
it is not a matter of security, but
that no money is being loaned.
Norman F. Priestly, vice-president,
df the United Farmers of Alberta, de-
clares: "It is difficult to secure con-
sent of individuals to use their names.
They fear reprisals. Many instances
have been reported, and lack of credit
for spring operations will seriously
curtail this year's farming operations.
But consider the question from the
point of 'v'iew of the banks. There
are scores of thousands of farmers in
the West who deal with one or other
of the chartered banks, and, even if
three or four hundred complaints are
made, it isnot convincing proof that
Western credit needs are being inade-
quately taken care of. There is no
disposition on the .part of leading
bankers to admit that there has been
any change in credit policy. On the
contrary, the 'bankers assert that they
are doing business in the West as us-
ual. They say, further, that the con-
troversy which has leaped up is un-
justto them. Their forbearance and
leniency have been overlooked, while
a few grievances have been brought
strongly into relief.
"It is our aim and object," writes
a high official of one of the banks, "to
sympathetically consider the needs of
our customers, and to help every de-
serving farmer as much as possible.
Nor are we pressing collections of
loans now on our books. We realize
that few' Western farmers can be in
a position to pay their bills this sea-
son, and we are carrying them over."
With regard to cases such as those
quoted in this article, Mr. Weir has
agreed, at the request of the banks,
to endeavor to obtain from the farm-
ers whose complaints have been re-
ferred to him, permission to have
these cases investigated individually.
Beaudry Leman, president of the
Canadian Bankers' Association, states
that while there may have been cases
in which individual csutomers of
banks have not been fairly dealt with,
the banks, broadly speaking, -have not
only dealt fairly, but generously with
Western agriculturists.
The officials of one bank widely re-
presented in the three prairie prov-
inces, st that their records will
that 'r,, -'-e was practically the
same amount lent to farmers at the
end of 1930 as there was at the end
of 1928, and that at the end of 1930
loans to farmers exceeded the lions
mortgage company. tiat the end of 1929 by 16.4 per cent.
It is further stressed by the bank
in question, in connection with the in-
crease it claims, that in 1930 the pric-
es of commodities produced in the
Western provinces, togetherwith the
values of farm real estate, declined
very materially.
Here, then, are both sides of the
credit controversy. In the nature of
things it cannot remain static. Fann-
ers' organizations in the West are
busy sending out questionnaires, am-
assing data on present-day banking
practice. The demand for more gen-
erous credit will be heard with in-
creased emphasis in Parliament and
in the country.
Great significance attaches to the.
utterances of 'Mr. Weir. He has care-
fully defined his position. He does
not say the banks should lend. He
does say that men with gilt-edged se-
curity are being refused loans. He
asks the banks to state their policy
publicly so the farmers will know ex-
actly where they stand. He asks the
farmers to come forward and give the
facts in regard to their experience
with the banks.
And he has intimated further that
if the 'banks are not prepared to do
the business, other credit facilities will
have to be provided for Western
farmers.
9. This case is from Southwestern
Alberta. A rancher owns 800 acres
of land, clear of debt and well stocked
with cattle. He used a line of credit
at his bank of $3,000. He owes the
bank nothing, and is now offered a
maximum loan of $200, which is in-
sufficient to meet his operating ex-
penses. He says the alternative is to
reduce his herd.
10. This is a similar case from the
district southwest of Calgary. A
rancher owns property valued at
$100,000, against whish is a debt of
$2,000. He owes the bank $6,000 and
requires an additional loan of $1,000
to meet operating expenses. He has
been refused and advisedeto sell some
of his cattle.
11. A farmer in Saskatchewan
owns 800 acres, of which 480 acres
in one block are free of debt. He
asked fel-a loan to cover spring seed-
ing and was refused.
12. , A farmer in the Lafleche dis-
trict, Saskatchewan, owns 480 acres
clear of debt. He needs money to
carry his family through the winter
and to put in his crop. The banks
have refused to loan.
13. This extraordinary case comes
from Northern Saskatchewan. A far-
mer owns land practically free of debt
lila is conservatively estimated to be
to,buy feed for his cattle and was re-
fused.
14. In the Saskatoon district,
Saskatchewan, a farmer owns 480 ac-
res clear of debt. His farm is well
stocked, and, he owes $400 in small
accounts. He is unable to get a loan
from the bank to clear up these bills
and to put in his crop.
15. Enclosing a bank statment of
his position, a farmer in Northern
Saskatchewan states that he has been
refused a loan. His assets are $52,-
123;
52;123; liabilities, including $5000 loan
from the bank, $14,949; surplus, $37,-
174. This farmer's application was
WHO'S WHO! WHAT'S
WHAT, AND WHY?
(By F. G. Neelin, Seaforth, Ontario,)
Dear Expositor:
Florida—magic name. The Atlan-
tic coast line of the State is a verit-
able fairyland bathed in the passion-
ate caresses of southern skies wrap-
ped in the gorgeous folds of a sub-
tropical zone as warmed and refresh-
ed by the salt breezes from the Gulf
Stream, thus making it possible for
flowers, verdant beauty, youth and old
age to hive and play throughout the
winter months.
Notably strange, Florida was the
first to be discovered and the last to
be developed notwithstanding the fact
of its being the second largest state
east of the Mississippi Diver and in
point of climate, it is warmer than
Cuba and is blessed with more sun-
shine than California, hence its po-
tentialities are its hidden wealth. As-
suredly it "is a land of romance and
legend, song and story of the heroic
Seminole Indians and fiendish cruel-
ty of the Spanish oppressor. The
Seminoles were never conquered and
at present live in the Everglades in
centre Florida under tribal laws.
Mainly the Bok Singing Tower and
Mountain Lake Sanctuary is the sub-
ject matter of the present article due
to the fact that it is rapidly becom-
ing the Art 'Shrine of America, which
is evidenced in the thousands of visi-
tors daily in attendance. The donor
of the magnificent ificent public gift was the
late Mr. Edward W. Bok, publisher of
the Ladies' Home Journal, of New
York, through which a fortune wan
amassed.
The Tower and Sanctuary are sit -
ROSE
ALBI5R
COAL
For
Present Burning
N. CLUFF & SONS
uated at Lake Wales, on the top of
Iron Mountain, the highest point of
land in Florida, being 324 feet above
sea level, and the adjacent country
is beautified by subtropical verdure,
'oraIge and grapefruit groves and the
world's largest area of citrus cultiva-
tion. Upon entering the Sanctuary
the visitor is mentally ,impressed with
the sancity of the surroundings and
the inscription above:: the gate: SI
come here to find 'nxyself—it is so
easy to get lost in the world."
The situation of the Singing Tower
and Sanctuary is ideal, being half
way between the Atlantic Ocean and
the Gulf of Mexico. The Tower con-
taining the 'Carillon, is surrounded by
a water moat in which is reflected its
beauty and is built of Coquina rock
marble on a square base with pink
marble facings and rises 205 feet two
inches in height, showing tapering
lines to thirty-seven feet wide at the
top. The adornment development of
the creation of life on land in sea and
air as noted in the Garden of Eden is
wonderfully portrayed in the hand-
some hand -wrought bronze and copper
panels centered in relief' illustrative of
the God given edict of man's domin-
ion over all. Surrounding the Tower
is the Bird 'Sanctuary, comprising
manyacres of natural beauty, green
with pine forests, orange groves and
sub -tropical verdure, lending enchant-
ment to thel creative purpose of pro-
viding a retreat of repose for the bird'
life of this continent inclusive of
cardinals, jays, thrush, wrens, quail,
crane, egrets, eagles, doves and peli-
cans with immense beaks filled with
fish and .magnificent flamingos, now
nearly extinct. Of recent date real
English nightingales in cages were
added to teach the ever-present mock-
ing birds a wider range of sweeter
song, thus making the Sanctuary a
fascinating place particularly inter-
esting for students to listen to Florida
bird songs and study their habits un-
der natural conditions.
The traditional name of a Carillon
Tower is a Singing Tower. From
medieval times in Northern Europe,
watch towers were built in which sol-
dier sentinels were stationed to warn
of the oncoming invaders or the on-
rush of flooding waters to the dykes.
The horn of the watchman was re-
placed' by the bell and about the 17th
century the majestic Carillon was
evolved. Hence in community life the
tower bells were of great importance
as they called the people to war,
peace, prayer or festival, and their
development reflected the national
musical acquirements making the
music of the bells to be known as the
Singing Tower and to the visitor at
Lake Wales the Bok Carillon is the
highest musical expression of a true
Singing Tower.
What is a Carillon construction?
The bell material used in manufac-
ture especially adapted for musical
accuracy, is a secret which remains
solely in the keeping of John Taylor
and Sons, of Loughborough, England,
bell founders since 1370, and as known
to outsiders is an alloy of tin and cap-
per. The secret of the tone formula
is never written, but verbally ex-
changed at death between the firm
principal and successor. The 71 bells
of the Bok Carillon weigh 123,264
pounds, the lower octave bell weigh-
ing 11 tons and the higher octave bell
10 pounds. True to tradition of the
Monks of Campana of centuries ago,
the tenor bells were cast at midnight,
The Bok Carillon 'bells were imported
from England, and are the largest in
the world.
What is s f'srillnn in music effect?
The Bok Singing Tower bells are
tuned to the intervals of the chrom-
atic scale by half scales the musical
compass being three octaves or great-
er. There are fifty-three distinct
notes produced of four and one-half
octaves, which determines the differ-
ence between the Singing Tourer Car-
illon and cathedral church chimes.
Each Carillon bell is tuned in musical
precision to five notes of the chrom-
atic scale, thus the hum -tone note, the
strike -tone note and the principal -tore
note are easily distinguished especial-
ly so when listening to Rock of Ages,
Abide With Me and,Stand Up For
Jesus and which alsenforces the
musical fact that "not only must the
carillon be in tune but the listner
must be in tune with the carillon."
The Bok Singing Tower was dedi-
cated by a former President of the
U.S.A., in the person of Calvin Cool-
idge, on February 1, 1929, and is op-
en to the public from December 15th
to April 15th, of each year. The sole
request of the donor is: "Gentlemen
are expected to wear their coats when
in the sanctuary."
The question is frequently asked :
Why did Mr. Bok donatethe Singing
Tower-ethe Taj Mahal of Ameriea—
with its surrounding Bird Sanctuary
resplendent with the flowers, shrubs
and trees, a real haven of beauty free
to the people of the world? The in-
spiration for its erection by the found-
er of the gift arose through the trans-
mitted love of the beautiful on earth
A.•
;by his parents andfrom an apprecia-
tive desire of service to. , his fellew'
man as sybolize4 frhe worship of
the Great Spirit by the M ericaxi In-.
dian and an individual good -will mese'
sage to emulate the Masters life-
work in "Make you me world a bit
more beautiful: and better because
you have lived in it." Amen.
HOW MY WORLD WAGS
By That Ancient Mariner
DEAN D. HURMDY
"University vicinity loses ancient
landmark as 200 -year-old elm tree
falls." Must have been one of those
slippery elms.
* * *
In the wrestling show at Massey
Hall last week Promoter Mickailoff
announced that • Count Zarynoff would
be replaced by Lee Wykoff. Seems
to have been their off day.
* a *
COUGH MEDICINE
Winter has went,
Spring has came.
Cold in my head
All the same. �{
171
It , 1
I 1'
Iii, SS3Ea
Don't care a button
For sound of crows.
Got such a dash blame
Cold in the nose.
Just seen a swallow
Flying about.
Maybe he's got
A stuf€ed-up snout.
One single swallow
Doesn't make spring.
I'd drink a bottle
Of any old thing.
* * *
'Onion growers warned against in-
creasing acreage. That's too bad!
Shakespeare said: "A little more than
a little is by much too much." But
he wasn't referring to our favorite
fruit.
* * *
Suckers reported caught at Port
Credit. We thought they were all
exterminated in the stock exchange
last all.
* * *
The newest colony in Palestine will
be named after David Lloyd George,
famous Welshman. As the Welsh are
such a musical nation, Lloyd George
will now compose a rhapsody for the
Jew's-harp.
* * *
Workmen wrecking a house in Lon-
don, Ont., carefully removed the bath
tub and placed it on the front lawn.
Somebody stole it. Wonder ,if they
got clean away with it.
* * *
BURLESQUE ORIENTAL
A Brahmin reclined in a sweet, bosky
dell.
Of bradawls and bullettrt he bragged.
Hle'd eaten a thousand, yet felt very
well.
Not once at the job had he lagged.
His stomach was built on most won-
derful lines.
Digestion was perfect or better.
And razor blades suited him more
than did wines.
He ne'er felt a qualm or a fetter.
For he was a chap in a magazine ad.
Re stuff that was good for the tummy.
You've read testimonials equally bad
From chaps that were equally rummy.
* * *
Howard Thurston, magician, charg-
es that he was attacked by his son-in-
law, but that he repelled' him by tear
gas from a special fountain pen. That
must be the kind of pen used by these
writers of sob -stories.
* * *
DAD AND HIS BOYS
Now, sweet and suffering stop -gaps!
And other language terse.
Right here is where I'll billingsgate,
And fulminate and curse.
For I can't find the hammer,
And I can't find a nail.
And where's my newest necktie gone?
And which boy got the mail?
And tell me, where's the car key?
And who has swiped my pen?
Are you the guys who some day think
That you'll be known as men?
Well, Dad, now here's the hammer.
You left it on the shelf.
The key is in your overcoat,
You put it there yourself.
We haven't seen the necktie,
So new and picturesque,
But as for all your letters, well,
You'll find them on your desk.
We did use all the nails up,
You said you'd get some more.
And did you mention fountain pen?
Well, here is where we score,
For if you'll kindly feel above
Your shapely, starboard ear,
'Tis there, 0 absent-minded one,
And honored parent dear.
WALTON
Miss Annie McTaggart, of Varna,
spent the week end with her parents.
Miss Archibald is visiting friends in
Seaforth and attended the funeral of
her sister-in-law.
Mr. John McDonald, of Windsor, is
here and intends to run the saw mill
for a few weeks.
Mr. Armand Kernick, of Kitchener,
is visiting at the home of '.Mr. Harold
Sellers.
Mrs. William Woods spent a few
days in Blyth recently.
IMrs. Naylor, who has been visiting
her mother, Mrs. William Hackwell,
has returned to her home in Roches-
ter, New York.
Miss Vera Porter, who has been vis-
iting her grandparents, Mr. and Mrs
Joseph Bennett, has returned to her
home at Cranbrook.
Mrs. Thomas Marshall, who has
been on the sick 'list is improving.
Mr. Tim Igaton, of Winthrop, spent
G5
r.
tee
Ontario .farmers annually' lost
'.}
dreds of ' dollars, from parasites
hne ph
asant adheo a
s', spDcri.al ls.tud* Sof psh
ir
problem and has written :several, ?4'la
letins, copies of which can be obtain4:
ed from your local Department of
Agriculture.
•
Commercial fertilizers when applied
to various crops in conjunction with
good farming methods give big re-
turns, Plesphates increase yields of
almost all crops on almostall' types
of soil. Potash pays especially on
the sandy soils. Nitrogen for most
farm crops should, as far as possible,
be obtained from growing legumes.
Free Seed.
One of the great vital forces re-
sponsible for success in agriculture is
good seed, declares the Ontario Agri-
cultural and Experimental Union, in
announcing that it is prepared this
year to distribute to farmers free of
charge, into every township, county
and district of Ontario, selected seed
of the best varieties of field crops.
Any farmer can obtain a list giving
the details of this seed distribution for
test purposes from his local agricul-
tural representative. Included in the
list are seeds for grain crops, root
crops, forage, fodder, silage and hay
crops, culinary crops, fertilizer experi-
ments and a number of miscellaneous
experiments.
Renewed War on Corn Borer.
The need for renewed warfare on
the corn borer was emphasized at the
annual convention of corn borer in-
spectors of Western Ontario at Lon-
don, when Prof. L. Caesar, provincial
entomologist, led the discussion and
issued instructions to the inspectors.
Large corn producing counties of
Western Ontario are faced with the
possibility of another serious corn
borer epidemic as a result of the pro-
longed drought. Unless much stubble
plowing is done by farmers and in-
spectors give careful surveillance,
serious damage to corn fields may re-
sult. The new situation is unusual
because of the pronounced drought
last summer. Corn stubble became
dry. The corn borer did not find the
dry stubble to his liking and instead
of ,spending the winter in the stalk
about an inch above the ground, as
usual, it went deeper into the root. In
the past many farmers have simply
cut the corn level with the ground,
thus avoiding plowing the stubble un-
der. This plan would not be effective
under the new condition and a cam-
paign is being started to have all
stubble plowed under before the mid-
dle of May, despite the manner in
which the corn was cut.
Better seed pays big dividends in
crop improvement. Production may
be increased from 10 to 14 pounds
per bushel and from 10 to 14 bushels
per acre by sowing only large, plump
seed. The farmer will find it a pay-
ing proposition to get the old fan-
ning mill out of the stare -house, fit it
up properly with screens and make a
genuine clean-up of seed this spring.
Interesting Swine Course. .
Despite a heavy snowstorm which
made roads almost impassable, ap-
proximately sixty young men wst•e in
attendance at the special swine course
held under auspices of the Council' of
Canadian Meat Packers and Provin-
cial and Federal Departments of Agri-
culture at Montreal packing plants on
March 9th, 10th and 11th. It was
voted the most successful course yet
held in Eastern Ontario. The pro-
gram consisted of lectures and dem-
onstrations on types of live hogs and
dressed carcasses and animal para-
sites, as well as competitions in the
judging and grading of live hogs and
dressed carcasses. The following
counties were represented in the gath-
ering: Carleton, Glengarry, Gren-
ville, Dundas, Renfrew, Lanark, Len-
nox and Addington, Prescott and Rus-
sell, Leeds and Frontenac.
55c a Bushel For Barley.
Resulting from a conference in the
office of the Minister of Agriculture,
the Canadian Malting Company Ltd ,
is offering to pay a minimum price
c
at::thaa; ; rine,'
acid clan and f
othOr graii?ne
to the bushel: Thi,
the grain grade led
tra" and in a nor;
easily obtained by the „gin,
er in Ontario. Barley' ba:
regarded by many farmers as,.
crop in the Counties of, Essex,
Middlesex, Elgin and Peilh, and
hoped this announee•7nent 'will •',
new confidence to these growers," .-
Montreal price of 55 cents would ::mea
f:o.b, prices approximately as'.
lows: Main line, Obathan i a/id sup.'
rounding points, 40c; off' lines, side
lines or radial lines in same territory,
37c; Central Ontario, 42c; Eastern
Ontario and on to Montreal, 46e.
These prices apply only to carlot shite
ments. This offer is 20e to 25c per
bushel ieetter than present prices ;on
the Montreal market and should.
greatly encourage barley production
in those counties where the .crop is
well and favorably known.
An Advisory Committee.
;Immediately after the present leg-
islative session, the Government will
appoint an advisory board to aid Hon.
Thomas L. Kennedy, Minister of Ag-
riculture in the administration of de-
partmental affairs and in solving
present-day farm products. It will
probably comprise three members—
one representative of the dairying in-
dustry; a second from the cattle, hog
and sheep industries and a third from
the poultry raising interests. It will
be absolutely non-political in composi-
tion and scope. The members will re-
ceive fair remuneration for their time
as well as travelling expenses.
Weekly Crop Report.
There is a general feeling through-
out the province that the recent heavy
snowfall has been of inestimable .val-
ue, according to the weekly report of
agricultural representatives in vari-
ous counties. Fields are well covered
and prophets are most optimistic re-
garding the condition of wheat and
clover, stands. Orchards in Dundas
have been receiving attention with
some pruning already. done. In Front-
enac the number of sows farrowing
this year shows an increase of about
100 per cent. over last spring. Ex-;
cepting for the syrup industry, few
preparations have been made for
spring work in Glengarry. Increased
interest in certified seed is manifest
in Grenville. In spite of bad roads,.
the soils and crops meetings in Heidi -
/rand are being very well attended -
Farmers in Huron are indicating in-
creased interest in better seed and
fanning mills are bejng put in shape
for screening •rsrk. In Middlesex,
orchard pruning work has been gen-
eral. while breeding stations in Wel-
land report heavy orders for good
quality hatching eggs.
New High Quality Feed.
Farmers, feeders and poultrymen
will be interested in the production
of a new high quality feed for poul-
try, swine and young livestock. This
feed, called Oat Groats, is made by
taking the hulls off oats thus greatly
reducing the fibre. increasing the pro-
tein and lowering the cost of the food
nutrients by a saving in freight.
Although there is some variation in
the chemical analysis the average
sample shows about 17 per cent. pro-
tein and from 21 to 3 per cent. fibre.
Oat Groats are fairly high in fat al-
so containing about 8 per cent. of
this valuable nutrient, For young
calves, young pigs and all ages of
poultry, this feed will prove valuable
in assisting rapid growth and general
vigor because of the high protein and'
low fibre content. The price of this
product is very low when the feed val-
ue is compared to other feeds. ,
By buying this feed in carlot quan-
tities and using Canadian .barley to
replace corn, the cost of production
of poultry and live stock products can
be substantially reduced. Farmers
andpoultrymen are advised to get in
touch with their feed dealers regard-
ing these products.
a few days last week with Mr. and
Mrs. W. C. Bennett.
A capacity audience was in attend-
ance Friday night at the A.O.U.W.
Hall to witness the presentation of
the play, "Marrying Anne," which
was presented by the Y.P.S. of Duff's
United Church. The play was a prom-
inent success and was directed by Mr.
Sellers, who deserves much credit.
Miss Gladys Smalldon played the role
of leading lady, and Miss Gertie Mil-
ler, Douglas Ennis, Frank Kirkby, al-
so played important parts. Others in
the cast were Harvey Johnston, Jean
Drager, Edith Ennis, Alethea Carter,
Laura Manning, each one taking their
part very creditably.
Mrs. Thomas Marshall, who has
been on the sick list, is improving.
John McArthua' ands his 'sister,
Mrs. Gilbert Grigg, are at present
visi,ting relatives in St. Marys.
Mrs. -Peter McArthur is spending
a few days on the old homestead in
;Morris with her son, George.
Mrs. Robert Naylor, who spent a
week with her mother, Mrs. ,Hackweltl,
has returned to her home in Roches-
ter, N.Y.
Miss Vera Porter, who has been
visiting her grandparents, Joseph and
Mrs. Bennett, has returned to her
home at Cranbrook.
Wednesday evening, April 8t$h, is
the date oi; a dance to be held in the
A.O.U.W.
Hall, when the Redmond
& Arthur five -piece orchestra of
Wingham, will supply the music.
The Walton football club held a
successful dance in the Workmen's
Hall, on Thursday evening. The wear-
ing of the green shamrock lent an
Ii.ish atmosphere to the affair.
oti
CONSTANCE
The Ladies' Aid of Constance Unit-
ed Church held an old time Irish so-
cial in the school room of the church
on Thursday, March 19th. Much credit
is due to Mrs. Leo Stephenson and
Mrs. Charles Riley for their pains-
taking in decorating the school room
suitable for the occasion. The readings
given by Mrs. Roy Lawson and Mr.
Ross McGregor were well received,
being full of Irish wit and humor. The
piano solos by Mrs. Addison and Mrs.
Ed. Dorrance were well rendered. The
solos by Miss Mildred Britton, Mr.
Lindsay and Mr. William Britton were,
much enjoyed, but what seemed to
please the youth most of all, was a
duet sung and acted 'by Mr. and Mrs.
Simmons; a chorus by the men., Ev-
ery number on the programme was
Irish and this brought to a ettge ant
evening enjoyed by all, even the luno
and it 'was Irish too.
Mrs, (Moore and . daughter, Mary,
and Mr. Adell, of Toronto, spent the
week end with the former's son, Mr,
William Moore.
IMr. and Mrs, W. 1VteMillah ship
daughter, Mary, of London, spent
Ttresda'y with Mr. MlcMillan'e mother,;:
Mrs. tt. Tay+Ior.
11