THE ST. JAMES' JOURNAL

The Hospital Farm
 
The hospital farm, well known to the older members of our staff, will in the near future be closing down, thus ending an era of home produced food supply. The walking parties will miss their pleasant strolls around the farm and foreshore amid its country setting. Even a visit to the piggery created an interest and entertainment, especially for the children, who spent hours fascinated by the frolics of the small pigs.
 
Years ago, of course, the farm played a much more vital part in the life of the hospital generally, and especially during the war years. Vast quantities of food were produced by hospital farms, with the help of numerous patients, oft times working under adverse conditions.
 
Originally, hospitals of this type were designed on the lines of a country estate with patients being encouraged to help in all departments of hospital life.
 
Nowadays, of course, Industrial Therapy with its increasing pecuniary benefits and similarity with the modern trend away from work on the land has lessened the desire for farm work, thus losing the benefits from the open air. A sage once said, 'The kiss of the sun for pardon, the song of the birds for mirth, one gets nearer God's Heart in a Garden, than anywhere else on earth.' This can also apply to a farm, but alas, the farm must now go and no doubt many will recall that pleasant stretch of land which we called `The Hospital Farm', with many an hour spent wandering around with nature as companion.
L. DUFFIELD
Winter 1965/6
 
The Last Harvest
 
Reapers harvested their own epitaph today . . . as the heads of corn rolled at St. James' Hospital farm, Milton.
 
The golden sheaves lay as silent as flowers in tribute on a grave.
 
For they mark the end of 88 years of tillage history . . . and the passing of an era.
 
And soon the well turned soil will have a brick and mortar monument . . . a crop of council houses.
 
For the farm - 52 of the 70 acres — have been sold by Government order. Portsmouth Corporation is the purchaser.
 
Once the farm provided all the vegetables with which the hospital kitchen was stocked. The patients were the farmers.
 
But old traditions pass, and times change.
 
Where once 50 patients toiled only two were helping bring in the final harvest.
 
Said Hospital Secretary, Mr. D. J. Downham: 'The farm was once considered as occupational therapy. But for some time now we have employed professional workers. This was partly responsible for the closure directive'.
 
The farm's yield last year: 100 tons of potatoes, 117 tons of vegetables, and 46 tons of cereals.
 
Only corn was sown for the final harvest . . . so that it could be gathered in by the closure date, September 29th.
 
Added Mr L. Duffield (Farm Manager): `It is a sad passing. Land has been farmed at the hospital since its opening in 1878'
 
Winter 1966
 

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