asked the Minister for Agriculture whether he will state what steps his Department has taken to see that a supply of suitable fibre-producing flax seed is available for the flax growers in the Saorstát this season; whether he will be in a position to furnish flax growers in the Saorstát with definite information as to the quality of same, as to germination and purity of available brands of seed, and, if so, how soon this information will be circulated amongst growers; further, whether he is aware that this information has already been circulated amongst flax growers in Northern Ireland, and if he will state the number of Flax Instructors employed in the Saorstát, and publish reports as to work done by said Instructors, with particular reference to arrangements as to supplying of seed, marketing of fibre, and results of experiments on retting; if he will publish a statement showing the acreage under flax in the Saorstát for each year since 1919, and, further, whether he will state the causes of decline and give a definite pronouncement on the prospects for the coming season?
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - SUPPLY OF FLAX SEED.
Mr. HOGAN
The Department have received reports from the various countries whence supplies of seed of fibre flax for sowing in the Saorstát are imported. They have also made inquiries through, and obtained bulk samples of seed from, the chief importers who supply seed to retailers in the Saorstát, and hope at an early date to communicate to growers, through the medium of the Flax Instructors and otherwise, the information so obtained. The Department are aware that the Ministry of Agriculture, Northern Ireland, have already published a leaflet entitled "Flax Seed, 1924." Eight Flax Instructors are at present working in the Saorstát, and reports on their work are published in the Department's annual reports, and reports dealing with the experimental work conducted by these Instructors, are published in the Department's Journal and in the Press from time to time.
The areas under flax in the Saorstát since 1919 were as follows:—22,180 acres in 1919, 34,218 acres in 1920, 7,413 acres in 1921, 4,915 acres in 1922, and 8,066 acres in 1923. The decline in flax-growing is attributable to the low yield and poor quality of the 1920 and 1921 crops, consequent upon unfavourable weather, and to the fact that before the 1920 crop was scutched, the linen trade, in common with many other industries, had entered on a period of very severe depression which continued for some time, with the result that prices for scutched flax fell to a very low level. The prospects for flax-growing are now much brighter, for the linen trade is improving; high prices for cotton still obtain; better prices are being paid for scutched flax —the improvement during the past few weeks being very marked; and ample supplies of flax seed of good quality are available.
Arising out of that answer, would the Minister state why the Department has been dilatory in sending out information with regard to seed? The seed-sowing season is now on, and farmers require that information immediately.
Mr. HOGAN
The Department has not been dilatory, and the seed-sowing season is not yet on. The seed-sowing season is between the end of March and the middle of April.
Is the Minister speaking now of the seed-sowing season in the North of Ireland or in the South of Ireland?
Mr. HOGAN
I am surprised at an agriculturist like Deputy Johnson asking a question like that.
Can the Minister answer the question?