17 



powers that enable him to hold all subordinates engaged in giving 

 instruction to strict accountability for the cHicienc}' of their work. 



The civil divisions of France arc, tirst, the connnune, which is the 

 elementary unit and varies in size according to the density of popula- 

 tion in the locality. There is next the canton, made up of a number 

 of comnuuies, usually about 12. Then there is the arrondissement, 

 composed of 8 cantons; and, including all of them, there is the depart- 

 ment, made up of 4 arrondissements. 



For school purposes the country is divided into lO educational dis- 

 tricts called academies. At the head of each academy is a rector, and 

 at the head of each civil department constituting the academy is an 

 academy inspector. Subordinate to these are the primary inspectors. 

 The law also requires that there shall be, in each of the 87 civil depart- 

 ments into which the country is divided, at least one normal school for 

 the preparation of teachers. 



The giving of instruction in agriculture in all of the schools embraced 

 b}' this educational system is made obligatory ])V the State. The 

 studies to be taken up and the courses t)f lectures to be delivered must 

 be approved b\' the minister of agriculture and commerce before they 

 can be undei'taken in any school. As a consetiuence the courses of 

 instruction throughout the Republic, in all of the schools, even the 

 most elementary, are systematical!}' arranged and have been critically 

 considered by (;apal)le authorities and formally approved b}' the minister 

 and council of education. 



DEPARTMENTAL AND SPECIAL PROFESSORS OB^ AGRICULTURE. 



In the law reorganizing departmental and communal instruction 

 enacted in 1879 it is directed that each "department," of which there 

 are 87, shall be provided with one ''departmental professor of agri- 

 culture," who is to be at least 25 3'ears of age and is to be appointed 

 from among the successful candidates who have passed a competitive 

 examination for this position. The examination is written, oral, and 

 practical; is arranged by the minister of agriculture and commerce in 

 cooperation with the minister of public instruction and fine arts, and 

 includes the different branches of agricultural science. 



The departmental professors are divided into four classes according 

 to salaries, as follows: First class, $877; second class, $780; third 

 class, $682, and fourth class, $585. The first appointment is always 

 made at the lowest salary and a promotion to the next higher class 

 requires at least three years' service. 



These departmental professors are the chiefs of the agricultural 

 service in their departments. They represent the administration of 

 agriculture and are under the direct authority of the prefect of the 

 department and of the inspector of agriculture. They have under 



