Edition Bobbett1. Texts by Elizabeth F. Bobbett: 1.1.3. Correspondence, Letters to newspapers

1941 Elizabeth Bobbett: Letter to the Irish Independent, 17.06.1941

Coal For Threshing1

Elizabeth Bobbett, General Secretary, Irish Farmers’ Federation, writes: “Owners of steam threshing sets must now register if they are to obtain supplies for next autumn. This is a most unsatisfactory arrangement and shows how little the officials who draw up such registration laws know about the farming position or how the threshing operations are regulated in the country.

It is always the rule that the farmer supplies the coal for the mill and when finished threshing gives the mill owner enough coal to carry him on to the next farm, and so on from place to place. The mill owner never has to worry about coal. In fact, it would be unworkable for him to be expected to bring his coal requirements with him. These mills often work twenty and thirty miles away from home. Another thing is that a farmer is never sure until the mill is in the yard who’s mill he will get. It often happens that the first mill engaged cannot come on appointed day and the farmer takes the first mill procurable. I make a suggestion that every coal merchant be assured of supplies for farmers for threshing. The coal merchants can give a more accurate estimation of requirements. They know their yearly customers.

1 - The same letter was published in the Irish Press, 17.06.1941.