§ 11. Sir J. LONSDALEasked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) if he is aware that many Irish farmers are anxious to sow an increased quantity of flax seed this season, but are as yet without any assurance that seed will be obtainable at a reasonable price and of good quality; if he can state when the Russian seed now on its way to Ireland is likely to arrive and the price at which it will be offered, and whether the Department will be in a position to advise farmers as to the suitability of this seed; and if he can state whether the Department will issue a Report upon the Canadian and English flax seed now being imported into Ireland as to whether the localities from which the seed is obtained are good seed-producing districts, if the germinating qualities of the seed are satisfactory, and if the seed is produced from fibre-growing stalks?
§ Mr. RUSSELLThe Department anticipate that if sufficient seed is available at a reasonable price, there, will be a con- 702 siderable increase in the area under flax in the current year. It is expected that the additional supplies of seed still required will be imported in time for the sowing season, but the Department are not in a position to give any assurance on this point, or to state when the Russian seed now en route to Ireland is likely to arrive, or the price at which it will be offered for sale. The Department are prepared to test for germination samples of flax seed submitted to them. They have already issued a leaflet advising farmers as to the quality of Russian seed from last year's crop, and have recommended the sowing of either Russian or Dutch seed. They are of opinion that no reliance can be placed upon any new source of supply.