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

1941 Elizabeth Bobbett: Letter to the Irish Farmers’ Paper, August 1941

Coal for threshing sets an unsatisfactory arrangement

Sir. I see by a notice in the Press that 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 in the district if the one he has engaged does not keep to agreed date, so much depends on the weather that it is impossible to make accurate arrangements as to threshing. Therefore, the old way, where the farmer gets the coal, is the best. After all, it is the farmer who is the important person; let him be sure of the coal and not risk the loss of his harvest through any disappointment over coal.

I make the suggestion that every coal merchant be assured supplies for farmers for threshing. The coal merchant can give a more accurate estimation of requirements. They know their yearly customers.