HC Deb 10 July 1917 vol 95 cc1734-5
77. Mr. F. MEEHAN

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) whether farmers in county Leitrim could not proceed with the potato spraying owing to the scarcity of spraying machines; and whether the Department will supply spraying machines to the county committee to be lent on hire on the same terms as in county Fermanagh?

Sir T. RUSSELL

I am not aware that farmers in county Leitrim are unable to spray their potatoes owing to the scarcity of spraying machines

Mr. MEEHAN

I am.

Sir T. RUSSELL

These machines can be procured, and the Department are prepared to advance loans to farmers to enable them to purchase knapsack sprayers. Every county committee of agriculture may purchase spraying machines for hiring to farmers, and where the funds of the committees are insufficient the Department are prepared to advance the amount required. Spraying machines have not been supplied free to any county committee.