AGRICULTURE 65 



The whole syndicate movement in France has been 

 a happy means of grouping all the vital forces of agri- 

 culture into a common and democratic movement. In 

 consequence, the condition of the rural population has 

 been immensely improved, both in spirit and in product. 



The standing of agriculture in France was improved 

 in 1 88 1 by the appointment of a Minister of Agriculture. 

 Before that time the interests of agriculture were en- 

 trusted successively to the Minister of the Interior, of 

 Commerce, and of Public Works. The Minister of 

 Agriculture has, among his other duties, charge of the 

 supervision of agricultural education, cooperation, and 

 improvements; of horse-breeding and veterinary educa- 

 tion; of suppressing frauds in agricultural products. 

 The improvements under the regime of ministers of 

 agriculture have been marked. Among the means 

 adopted for encouraging agriculture may be cited the 

 organization of central and local fairs, awarding prizes 

 for crops, investigations of the suitability of farm ma- 

 chinery, encouragement of the industrial use of denatured 

 alcohol, and the collection and publication of annual 

 statistics of farm products. 



The forestry school of Nancy, founded in 1824, became 

 more truly a scientific institution when in 1888 its stu- 

 dents were required to present diplomas from the In- 

 stitut National Agronomique for their matriculation. 

 Other schools for advanced and secondary work in 

 forestry were also established. The Forest Service ad- 

 ministered the State forests, and at the same time had 

 charge of projects for the reforestation of mountains 

 and the conservation of woodlands. Since 1880 the 

 State forests have been increased 22 per cent., and each 

 year 7000 hectares are reforested. The rural hydraulic 

 service has charge of drainage and irrigation projects and 

 the flood control of streams. The development and 



