The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1850-06-06

the purity OF the motives VI tVNi
included He has become very tiresome with his
eternal compliments One of the papers says he
rivals a certain M Csigney, who was so polite
that he would spring out Of the window to let
down the carriage steps for an ilustrious visitor
Lamartine will as usual take some middle course
The Seventh Central Congress Of AgTie'ltue,
49, L. 80 So -
sion commenced N Sns ism %, rs1rra, Sic> slesN
in the discussion of matters most important to
France. To place the reader at the proper point
of view to comprehend at a glance the bearing Of
the actions of this body, it is only necessary to
observe that Ii was composed OF the richest land
owners, manufacturer, ard merchants, besides n
few politicians and political economists all selected
by Government, and belonging to the richest cream
Of the reaction. M Dupin was elected President.
The first question to be discussed was the division
of real estate-a question second to no other in
Importance, and demanding all the lights Of the
intelligence of the country. Real properly is in
some parts of France not only divided, but pQius-
rised the expense of cultivation bears no reason
able proportion 10 the value of the products the
crops must be taken off by the hand, manure taken
TO the ground on shovels, or packed on donkeys
the ground cannot be ploughed but must be spsded,
ell which exaggerate the cost Of cultivation, and
make the situation of the farmer really deplorable
The tendency in France is now what it has been
for fifty years past to an extreme division Of the
landed property. The solution of this important
question was not attempted, the Congress adjourn
ing ii 10 more tranquil times It's sofdtlon would
certainly not have made the Government more
nerkAs xioaa sse pesssuts fox x wee neither more
nor less than an Intervention Of the State to de-
stroy the small farms, and maintain the large ones
This would have been species Of socialism not at
all TO the taste of the peasants whom the Govern
ment is now endeavoring to conciliate What an
unfortunate thing it is for the rich land owners
that the good old times of manors and serfs cannot
be restored
The land question must be met sooner or later
in France. There are now about 1--WE million fam
lilies owners of real estate yet there are so many
large properties, and the State owns so much in
forests waste lands, &C. that not one-seventh part
Of the ground is actually under the plough, and
only ffty-four hundredths used for all purposes,
the balance being useless both to proprietors and
the public The French peasants have been kept
in such a lamentable Ignorance; that they are
wholly unable to develop the resources Of the
country, and, with better soil and climate than
England, produces about half as much to the acre.
In agriculture, she is at about the point occupied
by England sixty years ago. M. Fould has made
good move in proposing to sell large portion of
the forests belonging to the State A better one
would be, to 90 to work and educate the people,
railroads. establish agricultural fairs and provide,
by good commercial treaties, foreign markets for
the manufacturing and agricultural products.
On the question Of uncultivated lands, the Con-
gress expressed the hope that the Government
would take efficient measures to promote the get
ting them under culture.
The forest question was discussed with much
ability. The decision was, that in all cases where
the preservation of forest is not necessary to the
preservation Of the SOIL greater liberty should be
given to clearing At present, no proprietor is
allowed to cut his own trees without obtaining
permission OF the Msnistsr or F1nalee At fnraas
The Congress resolved that Government should
impose on railroad companies the obligation to
carry at the "lowest possible prices" all kinds Of
manure for the soil.
The meat question was left where it is, except
the shrewd suggestions for the purpose of making
the present duties on imports more effective for
the prohibition OF animals Of foreign growth. The
present tariff of France imposes not only heavy
duty on cured meat, but one on live animals as
FOL