I should like to make one or two observations in connection with this Estimate. The first matter to which I should like to draw the Minister's attention may seem a very trivial one, namely, the question of goats. I do not know whether the Department regards the existence of goat herds in this country as of any importance to our agricultural economy, but there is no doubt that if things continue as they are at present there will not be a single goat left in the country in the course of the next few weeks. They are being exported, as I understand, by the thousand. They are being taken from all parts of the country and are being sent out of the country. I do not know, as I say, whether the Department regards the existence of goats as of any importance, but if they do I think they should consider some means of preserving our goat stocks. I suggest that something should be done about it.
The next matter to which I should like to draw attention is the fact that the Department has a magnificent opportunity at present to foster and encourage the cultivation of garden crops in this country. The emergency has brought home to members of the public, whether they have a large or a small amount of land, whether they have been able to obtain allotments or plots outside or in the vicinity of our small or large towns, the value of garden crops and the splendid return that can be got from the land by a little extra work in cultivating these crops. I think that the Department would be well advised to bear in mind that the growing of crops and vegetables for the human population should not be a matter only for a period of emergency but something that should be fostered and encouraged every year, apart altogether from any danger to our food supplies. The advantages that are to be gained by such a course are obvious. I suggest that it is the Department's function to engage in some long-term planning in that direction and to foster and encourage a spirit amongst us under which the growth of vegetables which is proceeding at present will be continued for an indefinite period as part of our economy.
The next matter to which I should like to refer is the growing of wheat. In many of the debates in this House this question has been thrown to and fro. I have had some slight experience of the growing of wheat and I have taken the trouble to look into the historical aspect of Irish wheat-growing. I have come to the conclusion that, perhaps, we are not exactly going the right way about wheat-growing. It is a historical fact that, a great many years before the middle-west of America and Canada were developed as big wheat-growing areas, we grew a very large portion — if not the entire crop — of wheat necessary to feed the population and that was at a time when the population was larger than it is now. It was, however, grown differently in those days. It was grown, more or less, as a garden crop and was intensively cultivated. Each person with enough land grew wheat sufficient to meet his own family requirements and the requirements of his workmen. That is exemplified by a particular district in County Wexford which is heavily rated having regard to the valuation of land generally. When the general valuation of agricultural land was first introduced — about 100 years ago — it was based upon the produce of the soil. A certain district in County Wexford known as the Mackamore district was valued very highly by reason of the crops of wheat obtained by intensive cultivation. Gradually, we had the rise of these foreign wheat-producing countries with virgin soil. There was the middle-west of America and there were the prairies of Canada, fertilised by the droppings of buffaloes and other wild herds for hundreds of years, and they proved to be places that could be exploited for wheat-growing. Under the system of modern commerce and transportation, our wheat-growing efforts diminished and we became dependent on the foreign market. I think that, in dealing with the wheat-growing system in this country, our Department think of the Ukraine, in Russia, or of Canada or the United States. They seem to regard the land of this country as virgin soil. The Ukraine has up to 18 feet of good crop-soil and, in the American countries, the soil is of such a virgin nature that these areas are like wheat-producing factories. Even these lands are becoming used up. Since we are faced with a shortage of foodstuffs, the Department should bring home to the people the necessity for each person providing his requirements in the shape of wheat, same as he would do in regard to potatoes. From that point of view, I criticise the Minister's handling of the wheat situation. I think it would be much better that ten people should grow one acre of wheat each than that every tenth man should grow ten acres. The results would be better and the soil would be less impoverished.
I listened to the discussions which have taken place on the foot-and-mouth disease. Unintentionally, perhaps, some speakers criticised the technical experts of the Department— the veterinary surgeons. I think that credit should be given where credit is due. I am acquainted with some of these veterinary surgeons. I have been in a district where foot-and-mouth disease is very rampant and I am aware that these men have been working extremely hard and have been doing their best to stem the disease. If fault lies at anybody's door, I do not think it lies at the doors of the veterinary surgeons employed by the Department.
I do not know whether the matter to which I now propose to refer comes within the province of the Department of Agriculture or not, but I do not think the Department has seriously tackled the question of ascertaining to what uses the plant life of this country can be put — what sort of plants can be grown here for the production of raw materials for industry. With the advance of science — chemistry in particular — and with the inventions that are taking place from day to day, it is apparent that all sorts of synthetic raw materials can be produced in this way. In that synthetic combination, plant life plays a most important part. I am not sufficient of an expert to know the exact articles that can be manufactured as a result of the chemical treatment of plant life but I know that their number is legion. The Department would be well advised to ascertain what sort of plant life can be produced here economically for the creation of synthetic raw materials for use in our various industries.
This would be a suitable time to foster and encourage the growth of tobacco. Tobacco was grown largely in County Wexford and some other counties. It is still grown in some of these counties but there has been an easing off in Government encouragement of late. Having regard to the fact that we are, more or less, cut off from our sources of supply, I think that the Department would be well advised to encourage the growing of tobacco. Another thing to which the attention of the Department should be directed — it may be receiving attention at present but there is no great evidence of it — is the production and use of substitute feeding stuffs. We are very conservative in the use of feeding stuffs for our animal population and there is no great evidence of any guidance or encouragement from the Department as to the substitute feeding stuffs that are available or that could be grown. There must be a great shortage of bran in the country — and there will be a still greater shortage. More publicity should be given to whatever alternatives there are to bran. I mention bran merely as an instance. People would like to know, as a result of the experiences of the Department, what sort of food should be grown to take the place of bran in farm economy.
A loan scheme for farm works was introduced last year by the Department. It was a very excellent scheme, but it was introduced too late. A certain return had to be made by the occupier of land in order to get any benefit from the scheme. These returns had to be passed by the Department and the lands had to be inspected. If any work is to be done on the land next winter under such schemes, now is the time to advertise them and give the figures, so that at the end of the autumn or the beginning of the winter everything may be cut and dry and each person who will benefit under the land scheme may know where he stands.