THE "MODERN VII^LAGE AT THE GHENT UNIVERSAL EXHIBITION IO5 



of the maxims affixed to one of the many buildings of the interesting agri- 

 cultural exhibition : " It is not only corn the ploughed land produces, but 

 an entire civilization. " 



§ 2. The national, commission for the improvement 

 OF agricultural life. 



The Organizing Committee of the Modern Village described above, wish- 

 ing to leave a durable record of its work, decided, on the proposal of M. de 

 Vuyst, on August 3rd. , 1913, to appoint a Commission to carry on a continuous 

 propaganda for the improvement of rural life. 



It was to have a central office and provincial committees. The central 

 office would be charged to study the proposals, to centralise the labour, to 

 furnish the necessary inform.ation and to assist the various committees in 

 their work. These latter would be entrusted with the improvement of the 

 ^dUages of their respective provinces, while, how^ever, always preser\'ing 

 their original aspect and characteristics. 



This Commission was, in fact, formed in accordance with the following 

 programme : " of providing for the improvement of field life and the em- 

 bellishment of the villages, in every way suggested b3' the circumstances 

 and especially by means of studies, search for documents in relation to the 

 matter, opinions and councils for those concerned, publications, shows. 

 exhibitions and congresses. " 



In accordance wdth its rules, it was composed of effective and honorary 

 members and may be divided into provincial sections. Its business is 

 administered by a president, three vice presidents, a secretary and a trea- 

 surer. It derives the funds for its w-orking from subsidies, gratuities and 

 the volimtary contributions of its members. 



Its Central Office, meeting on October 7th., 1913., decided to organize 

 a large congress for the discussion of the more important problems in 

 connection with the welfare of the country districts. 



The subjects on the agenda, mentioned in the publication we are consid- 

 ering, constitute a large and interesting programme of work for the Com- 

 mission itself. They are grouped in four divisions, that is : i . General Mat- 

 ters : 2. Matters relating to the Public Services in the Country: 3. Em- 

 bellishment of Villages : 4. General Improvement of Country Life. 



Among the items included under the first head are : Importance and 

 office of agriculture in the general economy of the country, Encouragements 

 granted by the public authorities to agriculture, industry and commerce ; 

 Comparison between the advantages so granted in large and small centres ; 

 Utility of the societies for the building of agricutural labourers' houses, etc. 



Among the subjects included imder the second head are those relating 

 to the railways, roads, posts, telegraphs and telephones, lighting, public 

 health, benevolence etc. 



