§ MR. G. LAMBERT (Devon, South Molton)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Agriculture, if his attention has been drawn to the successful experiments of the Irish Government for the prevention of potato disease by spraying the crop; whether the process of spraying the potato crop has been carried out to any extent, and by a similar process, in this country; and, whether he will take similar steps as the Irish Government to disseminate information to the small potato growers the benefits accruing from this system?
*MR. LONGThe attention of the Board of Agriculture has for some time past been directed not only to the particular experiments to which the hon. Member refers but to the subject of the prevention of potato disease generally, and we have reason to believe that the process of spraying with suitable solutions is now followed to a great extent by agriculturists in Great Britain. We have on several occasions given publicity to information on the subject. In 1890, a paper was published in the Annual Report of our Intelligence Division. In 1891, several thousands of a pamphlet on the subject were issued. In 1892 and 1893, reports respecting it were published and presented to Parliament, and in 1894 and 1895 another leaflet was widely circulated. Articles have also appeared in our quarterly Journal. I have given instructions that copies of all these publications shall be supplied to the hon. Member.