§ MR. WILLIAM JOHNSTON (Belfast, S.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he can give any statistics as to the results of spraying the potato crop in Ireland during 1897 with Strawsonite: and (2) whether he will inquire into the qualifications of the Strawsometer, the only British-made spraying machine, with a view to its being introduced among the agriculturists of Ireland this season?
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURNo statistics can be supplied as to the result of spraying the potato crop in Ireland with Strawsonite, or other preparations, during the past year. The experiments undertaken for the first time by the Land Commissioners in 1891 at the request of my right hon. Friend the First Lord of the Treasury, were continued from year to year down to 1896, and the results of these experiments have been very extensively circulated in leaflet form throughout the country, and 482 reports on the subject have also been presented to Parliament. In the report laid on the Table in 1896 (C—8023) will be found particulars of the experiments made with Strawsonite and other spraying mixtures. As regards the second paragraph, I understand that Mr. Strawson is in communication with the Agricultural Department of the Land Commission in reference to the machine known as the "Strawsometer."
§ MR. MAURICE HEALY (Cork)May I ask whether it is proper that the questions of this House should be used for the purpose of advertising any special article? I may say there is an excellent spray that is made in Cork.
§ MR. SPEAKERI do not think I need answer that question. If there has been any offence it may be set off against the advertisement of the hon. Member for Cork.