§ 7. Mr. BOLANDasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland what steps, if any, have been taken through official or other sources to encourage the planting of osier beds in different parts of Ireland, with a view to supplying the raw material in the future for the basket-making industry?
§ Mr. RUSSELLThe Department of Agriculture have upon their Forestry staff an experienced osier grower who is available for visiting sites of proposed osier beds, and advising as to their suitability, and as to methods of planting, as well as in regard to the maintenance and development of existing osier beds. The Department have also issued a leaflet on the subject, in which are indicated the varieties of osier most suitable for planting in Ireland, and the proper methods of cultivation.