asked the Minister for Agriculture whether he is aware that barley of the short straw type can be grown very successfully in certain districts in this country where the Spratt Archer variety has proved unsatisfactory, and whether he will permit the sale to farmers of seed barley of the short straw variety during the coming season.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Successful Barley Growing.
The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part of the question the position is that all the seed available from the 1947 crop is being used this year for experimental and propagation plots. Seed of the short strawed varieties cannot be obtained from other countries except in small quantities for experimental purposes, but every endeavour will be made to secure increased supplies of seed of the best of these varieties next year.