16 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



make a personal examination. The member chosen for this service must 

 be assisted by a resident of the community in which the examination is 

 to be made. The council, after examining the testimony, renders a deci- 

 sion, which is recorded. Tbe secretary informs the interested parties of 

 the decision and requests them to conform to it. The council pub 

 lishes an annual report which includes the decisions the parties refused 

 to accept. This report is distributed among the members of the local 

 society. The council does not decide niton questions of taxes. Its real 

 objectis to settle difficulties whenever possible, and by its moral influence 

 to remove abuses. The fear of publicity of adverse decisions prevents 

 wrongdoing, and cases for arbitration rarely occur. The council has 

 not had a case since 1895. The local society proposes to organize a 

 similar council to settle difficulties arising between farmers and farm 

 laborers. 



The above description shows what maybe accomplished by a local 

 society which follows out the instructions of the Government. In every 

 province it is the business of the state agriculturist to indicate the 

 lines which should be pursued. The majority of the local societies neg- 

 lect to consult these agriculturists; but the Government could easily 

 remedy this by establishing closer relations between its agents and the 

 secretaries of the local societies. 



FEDERATION <)F HORTICULTURAL SOCIETIES. 



The federation of horticultural societies may be numbered among 

 the official associations since it was established under Governmenl aus- 

 pices, [ts objeel is to promote the progress of different branches of 

 horticulture. The means employed c prise regular meetings of dele- 

 gates from the societies, an official journal, and the organization of 

 horticultural ((inventions and competitions. The Belgians as a nation 

 have a special love for gardening. This is perhaps due to the seden- 

 tary habits of the people. Hothouses were established in the country 

 toward the end of the sixteenth century. The collections of plants 

 were large and varied. Contact with England and Holland increased 

 the love of plants. The desire of the people to know the plants thor- 

 oughly led to the formation of horticultural societies and botanic gar- 

 dens. The Botanic Garden of Ghenl was founded in 17S7. Those of 

 Louvain, Antwerp, Liege. Mechlin, and Brussels are of more recent 

 date. The last two are private institutions, though all are designed 

 for educational purposes. 



Belgium has a large number of forestry and botanical societies, and 

 thirty-two of these, numbering about L2,000 members, belong to the 

 federation. Kach member pays an annual fee ranging from * 1 to $4, 

 and amounting in the aggregate to $20,000. Three-fourths of this sum 

 is used for publications and $5,000 is distributed in prizes at exhibits. 

 The original objects of the societies were; to produce new varieties, 



