asked the Minister for Agriculture whether, in view of the likelihood of a grave shortage of wheaten bread before the harvest, and in order to ensure the necessary minimum carbo-hydrate food, he will take immediate steps to greatly intensify the drive for the growing of more potatoes, even, if necessary, at the expense of the supply of other crops.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Growing of Potatoes.
All practicable steps are being taken and will continue to be taken until the end of the planting season to secure that farmers and allotment holders this season will grow more potatoes of the earlier varieties, which will be available for use during the period of some weeks immediately preceding the corn harvest.
Is the Minister aware that the area under potatoes in and around Dublin will be seriously curtailed now because of foot-and-mouth disease?
Why should that interfere?
Because there are thousands of tons of best manure in Dublin that will have to go to the sloblands now instead of to the farms.
It should be brought to the farms later on.
Will the sanitary authority permit this accumulation in the city?
Not in the city.
It is not produced anywhere else.