§ MR. O'DOWD (Sligo, S.)To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that on analysis it has been found that Irish-grown beetroot is superior in quality to that raised in Germany; and, if so, what steps, if any, the Board of Agriculture intend to take towards encouraging the growth of that crop in Ireland.
(Answered by Mr. Wyndham.) The average analyses of sugar beet grown on small plots in selected districts have shown that beet of good quality can be grown in Ireland. There is no evidence, however, to show that this crop if grown widely in Ireland would yield a profitable return when the comparatively high cost of cultivation and of the necessary apparatus are taken into consideration. At present the Department do not feel that they would be justified in recommending beet as a general crop.