asked the Minister for Agriculture whether he is aware that the yield following the sowing of "Manitoba" wheat this year is, in many instances, extremely low and very unsatisfactory, and if he will indicate what trials and experiments were carried out, under the control of his Department, with this variety before farmers were advised as to its suitability; and whether he will consider offering some form of compensation to growers where failure occurred, because through the operation of the Tillage Order they were forced to grow "Manitoba."
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Wheat Yield.
Although I have heard of some low yields of "Manitoba" wheat, as in the case of other varieties, I have also heard of many satisfactory yields and I have seen some excellent samples of the produce of "Manitoba" seed. During the period from 1932 to 1935 many farmers throughout this country grew "Manitoba" wheat from seed supplied by the millers with satisfactory results, particularly on good land. "Manitoba" wheat consists very largely of the variety known as Marquis. This variety was tested in 1936 at 34 centres in 25 counties against five other spring varieties, and the results compared favourably with the other varieties in the trials. It is not correct to say that any farmer was forced to grow "Manitoba" wheat. I cannot entertain the suggestion to provide compensation to growers who happened to get a poor yield.
Surely it is correct to say that they were compelled to grow Manitoba wheat when the compulsory Order was there and when no other seed was available? Is it the Minister's contention that the yield from Manitoba generally was satisfactory?
No. I repeat there was no compulsion about Manitoba or anything else, but naturally the farmer who leaves the purchase of seed until the last moment must take whatever is available and that is what happened with the farmers who purchased Manitoba.
Because the Minister did not provide the seed.
We had provided the Manitoba seed, but some farmers waited until the last moment, hoping that no seed would be available. They were disappointed and had to take Manitoba, and now they are getting a poor yield in some cases, though others are not. I am quite prepared to send the Deputy a copy of the report on the 1936 trials to which I have referred, which showed that Manitoba compared favourably with other spring varieties.
I am asking the Minister, so far as his Department is concerned, what is the general result from Manitoba seed all over the country?
I have told the Deputy.
Is it satisfactory?
The answer is that it is rotten.
Surely we are not going to take Deputy Dillon as an authority on wheat growing?
In some cases it may have been satisfactory, but, generally, it was not?
In some cases it was satisfactory and in some cases it was not.
I could have answered that question in one word.
The Deputy could, by calling it "codology".