WOMAN'S WORLD

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 87, 5 January 1918, Page 5

WOMAN'S WORLD

« (Continued from Page i) WOMEN ADEPTS AT FARM WORK Over 200 women laud workers from the Midland Counties entered for various tests at Matchley Park, Edgbaston recently, in order to gain certificates of efficiency. The teste, which were instituted by a committee, of which the Lord Mayor; of Birmingham was chairman, and which were set by practical farmers, included ploughing by horse and tractor, drilling, hooing, milking by hand and machine, thrashing, mowing, thatching, root pulling, etc. Most of the competitors wore breeches and leggings, with soft felt bats. They wore from all classes, and showed considerable skill in their work. There were 160 entries for pulling and cleaning roots, and nearly as many for milking by hand. The whole of the 60 girls examined for the- cowman's test passed; two received full marks, and 22 obtained over 90 per cent. The cutting and trussing of bay was well done, and in the field operations caro and expedition were the characteristics. Owing to the heavy rain ploughing was carried on. under very trying conditions. Sir Deville Stnnier, speaking at the luncheon, said that women bad well justified their place in all branches of industry, and in agriculture they were particularly successful. On his three farms a third of the work required was done, and done well, by women. Miss Talbot, THrpctor of the Women's Branch of Food Production for the Board of Agriculture, said that women meant to double and treble the help they had so far given on the land.