BRITAIN'S CORNFIELDS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 4, Issue 129, 14 July 1941, Page 3

BRITAIN'S CORNFIELDS

HOW FARMWORKERS GUARD With 12.500,000 acres under the plough this spring—3% millions more than in 1939 —Britain's agricultural leaders are planning how to protect her. corn crops "from Nazi fire bombs. Last year Germany's air on-, slaught did not develop fully until the harvest Avas, gathered in, but this year, combined Avith U-boat attacks on shipping, the menace to British food supplies is A r ery real. Among the safeguards which may be enforced is the cutting of firebreaks or lancsl, about 30ft Avide, across the direction of the prevailing Avind. The crcps, cut green, would not be wasted, but made into hay or silage. Corn stooks can be protected by setting the rows as far apart as possible. Ricks Avould be set at Least 15 yards apart, and. preferably out in the field, to prevent enemy landings. For dealing Avith outbreaks of fire, water carts would be kept filled near the standing crops, and further reserves stored in risks or van covers supported on stakes. Fire-fighters avi 11 arm themselves with stirrup pumps, fruit spraying machines, liquid manure carts, w« l sacks and brooms cut from timbc." mnd hedgerows. Tractors Avill Po useful fqr ploughing a firebreak ijuickly in the path of an advancing fire, and scythcs for isolating small patches.

With fire-watchers, A.R.P. wardens and Home Guards in every parish, there will be no lack of manpower to safeguard the vital interests of 1941.