20th March 1970 SS

Conservation of Soil

In spite of snow and ice many local farmers attended a meeting at Sandon Village Club, at the invitation of Mr. M.C. Bagshawe for a discussion on soil conservation. Mr. Bagshawe, who is agent to the Earl of Harrowby presided and introduced the speaker Mr. Sam Mayall, who farms large estates in north Shropshire and at Gnosall in Staffordshire. Mr. Mayall explained that he had a large herd of pedigree Ayshires at one, where he also produced wholemeal flour from his own wheat as a sideline. At the other farm were mainly pigs, sheep and grain. He gave details of his method of cultivation of the soil and the yield he gets from his Ayrshires.

Mr. Mayall farms strictly on organic lines, using no artificial fertilisers and the minimum of insecticides, and has proved the success of these methods by the health of his stock and from an economic point of view over the past 20 years.

He answered several questions and was thanked by Mr. Bagshawe.

Reach PLC. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD