Fishpingle looked astounded. Lionel, without pausing, set forth his difficulties. Unconsciously, he, too, quoted Moxon.
“Tell me, Fishpingle, do you think that science can triumph over our thin soil?”
“What a question, Master Lionel!”
“You jolly well answer it, if you can.”
“This is a grazing county. Science is teaching us every day better methods of getting more milk from our cows, and a finer quality of butter and cheese. Sheep and pigs pay well where there is no wastage of food.”
“Is there much wastage on our farms?”
He shot his questions at Fishpingle with a slight air of defiance. Would this old chap take him seriously?
“There is too much wastage.”
“How can it be checked?”
“The labourers are very careless. One can’t watch them all the time. And they love the old slipshod ways. What are you getting at, Master Lionel?”