§ Mr. KELLYasked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) what crops it is proposed to raise on the lands attached to the North-West Agricultural School during the coming year; how many horses and what implements are available for the farming operations; and if he will give an assurance that greater attention will in the future be paid to growing a variety of crops so as to secure as much practical instruction as possible for the students?
§ Sir THOMAS RUSSELLThe land referred to is let under conacre, with the exception of the orchard and poultry runs. The land will during next season be under the following crops: Oats, potatoes, turnips, hay, and pasturage. No agricultural implements or horses are at present kept at the school, which has no farm buildings and is for the present being utilised only for short agricultural courses during the winter months on the lines of the winter agricultural classes. During the spring and summer short courses in rural domestic economy are 1401W held for girls. The whole question of the lines on which the school may be most advantageously developed will receive the Department's careful consideration after the. War.
§ Mr. KELLYasked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) whether there are only four pens of poultry in the North-West Agricultural School, Ballycolman, and no turkeys, geese, or ducks, although a course of poultry keeping is given at the school; and if he can give an assurance that adequate facilities will at once be given to secure practical teaching in all branches of poultry raising and keeping?
§ Sir T. RUSSELLThe answer to the first portion of the question is in the affirmative. During the period of the War it has been extremely difficult to maintain the attendance at this school. As the courses for girls are of only eight weeks' duration, no turkeys or geese are kept. The Department have under consideration, however, the extension of the existing poultry runs and other improvements.