§ Mr. DUFFYasked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland), whether he is aware that the scanty supply of timber in the county of Galway is being rapidly cut down and sold; whether steps can be taken to encourage small farmers in the planting of suitable trees on their farms; and whether, having regard to the cold and shelterless state of many parts of the county, he will communicate with the district councils and place facilities in their way for the carrying out of this work?
§ Mr. RUSSELLThe Department have no information as regards the matter re- 1115W ferred to in the first part of the question. The Department's scheme of instruction in horticulture which is in operation in county Galway, contains a provision by which small farmers may purchase, through the committee of agriculture for the county, trees for planting. The instructor employed by the county committee under this scheme advises farmers as to the selection and planting of trees. The Department are making arrangements for the provision of special facilities for the supply of trees for shelter purposes to farmers in congested districts in county Galway.