The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-05-12
THE IMPROVEMENT OF FRENCH
AGRICULrURE.

LGRICULrURE.
On the 10Th of March the seventh gen.
erai session OF the Society OF French Agricul-
turists was held in Paris. This association,
open to all persons interested in tilllng the
ground, from the smallest tenant TO the most
opulent PROPRIETOR, has acquired In a few years
large development. Its reports, prepared by
committees specially competent In their several
departments, cover the whole ground Of agricul-
tural science, and supply some interesting data
respecting the movement Of French produc-
ton.
The last decade seems to have determined
sort Of agricultural crisis in France. While the
high price Of all tho necessaries OF life has
casioned notable Improvement In tho circum-
stances Of producers, this Improvement has been
attended by some drawbacks. The very rail-
ways which facilitate the disposal OF surplus
products have Withdrawn large numbers OF
the laboring class from agriculture. The popu-
lation OF the country districts has much de-
creased, and the patrarchai union of peasant
families which formerly constituted the basis
Of rural labor, has been broken up. 1t was the
custom, moreover until recent years, to grow
almost everything required for home consump-
ton within one domain, whereas the present
freedom of exchange has generated an irresist-
ibio NthNcuO1 toWdIu tne OF
products. These changes have come somewhat
abruptly upon the French agriculturlst, III pre-
pared by education to diverge from the groove
OF tradition and routine.
Tho general employment OF the iron or steel
plough dates back less than half a century in
France, aud the application of steam power to
that implement IA still very rare indeed. The
steam plough, in fact, cannot be employed with
profit In the cult walton Of less than a thousand
acres aud so wide an area Of arabic land Is
rarely controlled In France by one proprietor.
The experiment Of buying aud using such ma
chimes on shares has been tried in the eastern
provinces, but with no satisfactory results The
use Of steam reapers and cleaners. however, has
spread with astonishing r pdity, considering
the minute subdivision OF French soil, which
necessarily operates to discourage Investment
In costly apparatus.
The lettering Of the native live stock has be-
come an object OF earnest attention In France.
Early Efforts In this direction were warped by
an extravagant admiration for certain English
types which have been developed to an excess
sive fairness. Experience, however, recon m ends
the propagation Of the indigenous breeds. tn cir
hereditary aptitudes being OF course em phasized
by proper nourishment and a judicious regard
Tor pedigree. Accordingly, the question OF
forage has assumed great Importance. Many
suos'anCes hitnerto Wasteu are now appHeu TO
the sustenance OF cattle, and the more fertile
provinces ind an excellent provender IN the
pulp OF tho beet root aiming after the extrac-
ton Of sugar.
BY means OF the railways a sort Of division Of
labor has been created In stock raising, so far.
at least, as concerns the cattle. Certain pro-
vinces near the centre Of France have suddenly
passed from extreme poverty to easy circum-
stances through the increase In the export OF
steers and heifers during the last few years. The