Bennett's of Ballinacurra Descriptive List (Ref. B609)

B609/

Levinge states ‘as far as we are concerned there is only one Spratt Archer barley in existence, namely “37 No 3”’.

B609/1/A/33 Letters from AGS, 1 September 1949 to 31 August 1950. A letter of 29 August 1950 comments on the ‘appalling’ recent weather, which ‘has put the harvest back very considerably’ and will damage cut corn standing in stook. A letter of 24 August concerns the ‘not very satisfactory degree of purity’ in crops of ‘Binder’ seed barley. A letter of 18 August encloses general barley instructions for 1950 [a recurring item in most files]. A letter of 16 August encloses a circular expressing concern at the growing and threshing together of other seed with the 2 nd pedigree from Ballinacurra. It states ‘These stocks are limited and valuable, in that they constitute the basis of pure barley cultivation in Ireland’. A letter of 26 July encloses a lab report on testing of milling equipment. A letter of 21 July concerns a letter to be sent to Cork Chamber of Commerce regarding the Dollar Exports Advisory Committee. The letter relates to AGS’ sending of Ballinacurra malt to its New York brewery, previously discontinued owing to an unreliable shipping service. A letter of 10 February lists the AGS Commission Houses: JHB; WB Nunn & Co, Wexford; PJ Roche & Sons, Enniscorthy and New Ross; Minch Norton & Co, Athy. A personal letter from Levinge to Mrs West, dated 17 January, expresses sympathy and best wishes for the recovery of ‘the small boy’ (her son). A letter of 12 December 1949 expresses concern at the occurrence of weevil infestation. In a letter of 23 September AGS is stated to be ‘extremely concerned’ at the large surplus yield this year, and is considering how best to handle the situation without disappointing the farmers. There are many letters regarding storage of this surplus yield. B609/1/A/34 Letters from AGS, 1 September 1950 to 31 August 1951. A letter of 31 August from Levinge to Mrs West concerns a management committee meeting to occur at Ballinacurra on 7 September [see B609/4/B/2 below]. Reference is made to the activities of Mr Ronayne at the farm, and those of Messrs Mahon and Read at the maltings. A letter of 21 August to Mr WH Read relates to cash orders for barley payments, and the Irish Maltsters’ Association. There is also discussion of demands for half-days for men working in malt houses, and different hours and conditions for foremen and firemen. A letter of 5 February concerns AGS plans to make a complete film of the various activities connected with the brewery, including the work of barley cultivation. Many letters of September to December 1950 relate to weevil infestation in barley. B609/1/A/35 Letters from AGS, 1 September 1951 to 31 August 1952. Present at the front of the file is statement of General Instructions for Barley Buying for Season 1952. In a letter of 28 August 1952, concerning artificial drying, Levinge opines ‘of a truth, the growers in your district have an infinite capacity for creating troublesome situations’. A letter of 2 July relates to the ‘open days’ visits to the Cereal Station at Ballinacurra. Enclosed is an itinerary and a list of firms sending