§ 63. Mr. Priceasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware of the importance of ensilage in farm economy to-day, particularly in view of the present position with regard to imported feeding-stuffs; and what steps he proposes to take to encourage this practice?
§ Sir R. Dorman-SmithI am fully alive to the value of ensilage, above all in view of the feeding-stuffs position, and am taking active steps through the agricultural and general Press and through the B.B.C. to encourage the wider adoption of this practice. A "Growmore" Leaflet explaining the modern technique of making silage from grass and crops has also been published and is being widely distributed among farmers. I have circularised county agricultural education authorities asking them to take all practicable steps to impress on farmers the value of ensilage and to arrange, and widely advertise, suitable demonstrations. The provincial advisory centres have been requested to co-operate wherever practicable. I have also asked County War Agricultural Executive Committees to co-operate with agricultural education authorities in drawing the attention of farmers to the advantages of ensilage, and I anticipate that the committees will 798 encourage farmers who are not in a position to obtain silos through the usual channels to make full use of the facilities available under the Agricultural Requisites Assistance Scheme, in which I have specifically included silos. Finally, the necessary arrangements have been made to ensure that molasses for silage making and supplies of certain materials required for structural silos will be obtainable this season. Imported softwoods, however, will not be available for the making of silos.
§ Mr. PriceWill the Minister assure us that the War Agricultural Executive Committees are aware of the importance of the type of crop that is necessary on arable land in order to obtain catch cropping?
§ Sir R. Dorman-SmithYes, Sir.