§ MR. BLANE (Armagh, S.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland if his attention has been drawn to the fact that, in the twelve months of 1890–91, there was a decrease of the area under crops in Ireland of about 163 square miles; and, if so, what steps the Government will take to prevent this annual decrease of the food producing area of Ireland.
§ MR. JACKSONI am informed that the decrease in the land under crops in Ireland in 1891 as compared with 1890 was, including meadow and clover, to the extent mentioned in the question.
§ MR. BLANEAnd can the Government suggest any means to check this narrowing of the area of cultivation?
§ MR. JACKSONWell, Sir, I am afraid that when cultivation does not pay it is not continued.