AGRICULTURAL. EXTENSION IN BELGIUM. 445 



more grain is produced than formerly there is really less land de- 

 voted to its cultivation, the difference having been converted into 

 pasture land. This changed condition is due to a decrease in the 

 value of grain and the constant increase in the cost of farm labor, 

 together with an increased demand and remuneration from cattle 

 and their products — meat, milk, butter, and cheese. Hence agricul- 

 ture in this Province is rapidly changing from the production of 

 grain to the production of cattle, and it is likely soon to become a 

 live-stock and daiiy country. Even now this is the principal agri- 

 cultural industry in the greater part of the Province. A stationary , 

 market for live stock and their products and an increasing market 

 for grain may, how^ever, equalize the two industries in a short time. 



The extension supervisors have held 1.600 conferences since 1885 

 and have written 3.000 personal letters of advice, besides having 

 given numerous personal consultations, these latter being regarded 

 of s^Decial ini2:)ortance, since the farmers read very little and write 

 less, but talk freely when the supervisor is w^ith them at their indi- 

 vidual farms. 



But, great as the results derived from personal consultation are, 

 the experiment and demonstration fields are regarded as paramount, 

 since they have paved the way for the influence the supervisors now 

 have over the farmers in personal, written, or public conferences, 

 courses, and other meetings. Until the establishment of demonstra- 

 tion fields farmers were defiant to all ideas of progress. But the 

 practical demonstrations established on the soils of their own com- 

 munit}^ have changed their attitude and proven to them the value 

 of applying scientific agricultural knowledge in their occupation. 

 The sujDervisors have thus far established 400 such fields at the 

 expense of the Government, besides an equal number at private ex- 

 pense. Enormous progress is attributed to the 580 courses for adult 

 farmers. These comprised 7,200 sessions and reached 22,500 culti- 

 vators. There have also been held 75 courses of 600 sessions for 

 farmers' wives; 320 courses in orchard fruit, consisting of 2,400 

 sessions and having an enrollment of 16,000 people; 181 courses in 

 A'egetable gardening, comprising 1,400 sessions with 8,500 listeners, 

 besides numerous other less extensive courses. 



The supervisors aid the priuiary schools in their agricultural work 

 by suggestions and personal visits, but the movable schools of agri- 

 culture are considered as accomplishing the greatest good and are 

 held in the highest esteem by the farmers themselves. There have 

 been established since 1891 65 such schools, and their results are 

 very marked. 



The Province of Namur is also supplied with numerous associa- 

 tions, syndicates, societies, and clubs, covering all forms of agricul- 

 tural activities, including cooperative purchasing, bujdng, and credit 

 associations. 



