When I reported progress, I was referring to the effect that the land project had in bringing to the farming community a new outlook in relation to improving their lot. I would like to add that it is my feeling that the employment of heavy machinery is considerably overdue in clearing away wasteful banks of earth and scrub. In recent months we saw a vast amount of work being performed by heavy machinery, work which seven or eight years ago it would not have been thought possible to do economically. The number of people engaged in contract work in clearing scrub and removing banks is very gratifying and the grants that are being paid to make this possible, I contend, is money very well spent. It will bring into productivity much land that was lying derelict up to now and which will be capable of producing more in a very short time.
I think it regrettable that the heavy machinery that was engaged on road works over the last few years was not engaged inside the fences on the land. If that had been done, possibly our production would be higher to-day and we might then be in a position to engage that machinery on road works. First things should come first. Even now it is very satisfactory to see the amount of work which has been done in such a short time.
Many Deputies have referred to the need for improving the advisory services available to farmers. It is unfortunate that some controversy has developed in connection with the advisory services that operated so well for some time past through the county committees of agriculture and that the parish agent has not been received as he should have been received—with just a little bit of understanding and common sense and a realisation that he was coming to add to the services that were already being provided by the committees of agriculture.
It is natural with the growth of farm organisations, Young Farmers, Macra na Feirme, Muintir na Tíre, and other rural organisations, that there should be a greater demand for advisory services. It is, of course, true that, even though the excellent officers that were attached to the committees of agriculture were doing good work, they could not give the specific attention to particular places that might be desired by the people of those localities. Under the parish plan that is being provided for. We know of one or two instances where co-operative societies have thought it worth while to contribute in whole or in part towards the expenses of maintaining an officer to assist in a particular area.
The extension of the parish plan, to my mind, will have a snowball effect like rural electrification. When it was introduced many people refused a supply, but when they saw its advantages, after their neighbours had got it, they became clamorous in looking for it. I think when people see the parish plan working effectively, and live side by side with it, that they will increase their demand for similar services and that even if the committee of agriculture officers are relieved of some duties in the area where the parish plan is operating, there will be a much greater demand for their services in adjoining areas to which the plan has not yet been extended. I think some of the opposition to it has been rather too extreme. It is only when it has been tried for a while that the real effect of it will be realised.
Another great improvement effected in recent years and over the past 12 months is the improvement in farm buildings. It is surely necessary, before we can look to the increased numbers of live stock which we now aim at and which are so vital to increased production, to see that the necessary accommodation is there to house these animals. It will also be reflected in the improved health and improved condition of the animals when they are offered for sale.
Increased storage space, to my mind, will also lead to more tillage because many people have to estimate how much grain they can store before they proceed to sow in the springtime. I am not referring now to areas where grain is sown as a catch crop, but where the grain is converted on the farm itself, thus providing the means to maintain an increased number of animals. The improved land as a result of reclamation and the increased accommodation for farm buildings will work together towards bringing about the improvement we need in production. In relation to grain storage I think tribute is due to those co-operative societies that are at the moment expending quite considerable amounts in the erection of silos. The earlier siting of storage facilities at the ports did not indicate a very optimistic attitude in relation to grain growing.
The use of feeding barley, of course, has revolutionised production. The increased output per acre, mechanisation, the introduction of varieties of grain that are capable of being profitably produced on almost any soil here, the production of ground limestone and the more intelligent appreciation of the value of fertilisers will mean that people can look forward to producing what they require to market and enable them to maintain the remainder of their live stock in better condition than they thought possible half a dozen years ago.
I do not think I have much more to add to what has already been said on both sides of the House. The debate has been very constructive. I would just like to mention that a tribute is due to those people who, while not owing land, have given all their lives to working on it. In the agricultural labourers, we have people who are vital in this aim to increase production.
Some of them work a lifetime with the one farmer or with a family. These men and women make very valuable contributions. As they advance in old age, we should do something more for them and give some recognition to those who have given that service. Organisations like the R.D.S., in a little way, do their part in giving them some little recognition. If we could facilitate them in the matter of housing or to a better degree so far as social welfare is concerned or by some means attract them to a life on the land rather than to look for employment under very different conditions across the water, we would do a very good day's work.
I want to conclude on the note on which I started. I want to refer again to those people, non-agriculturists, who lecture and talk down to the agricultural community for not working harder and producing more. They are not being fair to the agricultural community. If somebody took the time to evaluate the capital, endeavour, working hours and efforts which have been put into the reclamation of land, the erection of out-offices, the reconstruction of farm buildings and all the work that is going on now and that is directed towards the elimination of bovine T.B., it would be seen that the farming community deserve great praise. When we bear in mind all the work which they are doing, and when we realise the disrupting effect which the bovine T.B. scheme has on the work of the farm, it must certainly be agreed that our agricultural community deserve great praise.
I feel that, in his introduction of the Estimate, the Minister reviewed the whole position in a very fair way and most of the Deputies who have spoken in the debate have been very constructive in the contributions they had to offer.