AGRICULTURAL ASSOCIATIONS IN BELGIUM. 



J'. i>k YrvsT, 

 Assistant Inspector of Agriculture of Belgium. 



Agricultural associations were noj regarded with much favor by the 

 Belgian farmers until within the last ten years. The Government has, 



however, for some time understood the advantages of such organiza- 

 tions, and as early as 18-48 had organized local agricultural societies 

 (cornices) in districts where no other agricultural associations existed. 

 These local societies were designed to encourage agricultural meetings, 

 to introduce such improvements as were suggested by experiments, and 

 to assist in the formation of provincial agricultural commissions. The 

 existing agricultural associations in almost all the districts identified 

 themselves with the local societies, with the result that in a short time 

 an official organization uniform throughout the Kingdom was created. 

 This official organization has, however, not been able to cope with the 

 agricultural crisis which in recent years has so severely affected the 

 country. A great number of associations have, however, been formed 

 under private auspices. These associations have multiplied more 

 rapidly during the last 3 or 4 years, since socialism has threatened to 

 invade the rural districts. Unofficial associations will be fully treated 

 later. 



Iu Belgium, as a rule, the farms are very small, not averaging more 

 than 3 hectares in extent (7.4 acres). Under such conditions agricul- 

 tural associations are more indispensable than elsewhere. Without 

 their help progress iu such lines as the breeding of cattle, the improve- 

 ment of seeds, or the use of improved implements is absolutely impos- 

 sible. Belgian farmers are beginning to understand this, and if they 

 continue in the course upon which they have entered, they will doubt- 

 less succeed in extricating themselves from the difficult situation in 

 which they are now placed. 



THE LOCAL AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES (COMICES), 



The local agricultural societies are groups of farmers and other per- 

 sons interested iu agriculture. They are charged with watching over 

 the agricultural interests of a particular region, which as a rule corre- 

 sponds with the judicial district. They receive a subsidy from the 

 General Government and also from the province in which they are 

 located. These societies in return must furnish miscellaneous informa- 

 tion regarding agricultural matters and must make an annual report 

 on the condition of agriculture in their respective districts. As before 



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