§ 30. Mr. J. MASONasked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether he is aware that excellent results have been obtained by ploughing grass directly the hay is off it and immediately sowing with rye; and whether, in order that this method should be widely followed, he will take immediate steps to schedule the grass land to be ploughed for 1919 and issue a leaflet on the subject to farmers?
§ Sir R. WINFREYI am glad to be able to inform my hon. Friend that very favourable reports are now being received on the condition of grain crops sown on grass land which was ploughed up late last summer. Where the soil is suitable for wheat that cereal should be sown, but for many soils the sowing of rye is strongly recommended. A leaflet on the cultivation of rye has already been issued by the Board, and it is proposed also to issue a notice calling attention to the special value of this crop for sowing on newly ploughed grass land.
§ Mr. J. MASONWill my hon. Friend answer the last part of the question, as to the programme for the coming season; and is he aware that a considerable part of the dissatisfaction last season arose simply because farmers were ordered to plough up land at a period too late in the season, and if the Order could be given in the next month or two, it would enable farmers to adopt the system of sowing rye in the summer?
§ Sir R. WINFREYI must ask for notice of that