asked the Minister for Agriculture, if he will approve of the supply to the Cork County Committee of Agriculture of an autogiro or helicopter for the purpose of spraying cereal crops against the midge.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Wheat Midge—Spraying of Crops.
Mr. Walsh
The question of aerial spraying of wheat crops has been examined and it is considered that this method of spraying would be impracticable in the conditions obtaining in this country. Experience this year indicates that spraying with D.D.T. preparations by means of spraying machines, as ordinarily used on the farm, immediately before the crops eared out appears to be successful in killing the adult midges while causing little injury to the growing crops.
Is the Minister not aware of the practice in European countries, on holdings of somewhat the same standard as we have here, where the helicopter or some other type of aeroplane is used for aerial spraying? I am sure the Minister will agree with me that spraying with the horse spray just when the crop is heading is going to do a lot of damage to the crop.
Mr. Walsh
On the contrary, the horse spray does not harm the crops.
It is going to do a lot of damage to the crop. It must trample it. Certainly at the time the spray must be used it is going to be dangerous.
Mr. Walsh
On the contrary, it does very little damage, practically none. As regards using the helicopter in this country it is impracticable. It may be all right in other countries where you have big tracts of wheat growing but in this country, where you have wheat earing out at different periods and smaller areas, I think you would find great difficulty in using the helicopter.
I ask the Minister to give further consideration to such a very important matter and to discuss it with the technicians in the Department. They made mistakes before and I am sure they can make them again.
Mr. J. Lynch
If we got a spray gun would the Deputy take a job as a reargunner?
If the Parliamentary Secretary is starting a new industry, we want one in Cork.