PIGS AND T.N.T.

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 251, 11 July 1918, Page 8

PIGS AND T.N.T.

i'he feeding of a very large proportion of between 8000 to 10,000 munitioners is no light mailer in normal times. In theso difficult days it presents a task that few would cure to undertake. Yet it was this harassing problem with which the-'nuinagoment of a certain national T.X.T. filling factory were confronted last ycair and have now successfully solved. In tho course of a few months the factory promises to be Kelf-supporting. The canteen—a vital necessity io the efficient running of such an establishment —will bo kept well supplied with fond actually grown and reared ipon 'he premises. Tho innovation began with the purchase of pigs to consume the refuse of the canteens. Mid sometimes mixed with a little middlings or grain offal and carried to tho piggories near by, where (10 pigs aro now housed until such time as they ehall appear upon the canteen menu. Sixty sheep were next introduced, first, for tho purpose of keeping down the grass around the powder magazines, and later to bo exchanged for coupons by Iho workers. Shortly, it is hoped cattle will be added to assist in tho good work of girazing, and, incidentally, augmenting tho bill of fare. The attention of the factory, however,' is not confined to livo stock. In between tho long rows of small buildings, which aro raised a few feet from the ground and connected by wooden platforms, whero the khaki-clad women are engaged in filling the shells which the factory daily turns out by the thousand, vegetables of every description liavo been planted. Every available yard of suitable soil has been ploughed or dug up and planted, and already fhc tiny plants are veiling tho rich brown eai'th with a delicate mist of tender green. A largo portion of the factory is built \ipon what in pro-war days was a great orchard. Many of the fruit trees were left standing aro.iud the powder magazines. These have Tjcen pruned nnd trimmed, and pale blossoms are now bursting through tho black buds. In between tho trees white' narcissi and golden daffy-down-dillies are giving way to strawberry plaatg and raspberry canes. Since a drying apparatus is to be introduced later to preserve the surplus produce, the orchard will provo of great value to the canteen during the coming winter months. Chickens, of course, ara quite old-estaWisheil residents of 'ho factory farm, and I heard it hinted that experiments are being made in connection with the incubation of eggs in certain of the drying cupboards which nre used in sho factory. The whole of the work is performed by the munitioners. This introduction of agricultural work has materially assisted in solving tho difficult problem arising from the necessity for reducing Hie number of workers, a reduction which elhciency following upon experience made necessary. The woikers a.re -veil satisfied that they are, by theso means, still engaged upon the production of munitions of war. Nearly 300 of them are already employed upon fool-growing although as many'thousands volunteered when the call was made, and gradually the number is increasing. . Only those irho are keen on tho work nnJ flhoir special (.ptilude are allowed to remain Ono man who was working in the factory and was a market gardener D T trade is in charge of the whole of the and abo.it eight other gardoners, »ShV «contlv employed upon factory work are acting as leader* of >,ho groups of women workers. Tho women superintendents and forewomen, chosen for their S make daily reports of tlie number of workers under their charge, and the amount of work is mewiwed m<l «lcukß exactly the ««""> ™ l W -f ihof.ctory.-Ivy Saundcrs, in the "Daily Mail."

"With cve.lT other class of stock at an abnormally high level of values, the condition of tho horse market is an hiioih (=ay.«the "Otaufan Standard"). The orw ie one of Uio greatest factors in increased agricultural production i. in fict is indispensable if production is to be maintained,, and yet horses are a drll» ou the market. A good foiir-liorse team ca.n be purchased at less money than the pre-war value of one. decent ijelrlmg. Ts it the shortage of suitable I mined farm labourers I hat acco'inls for this position ?