Il8 FRANCE - MISCELLANEOUS 



There are not many vineyards in the first three regions; in some depart- 

 ments even there are none at all. The fairly high average value shown 

 for them in the first region is due in some degree to the additional value given 

 to holdings by their proximity to Paris. In fact, the value of the vineyards 

 of the first region is highest in the department of Seine-et-Oise. Another 

 cause also contributes to this, namely, that, as a rule, where vineyards are 

 few their products are fairly often consumed in the district itself, where 

 they are, consequently, in demand, and sold at remunerative prices. In the 

 second region, where the first of the above causes comes less into play, the 

 average falls rather considerably. It rises again in the third region, on account 

 of the \dneyards of Anjou, the wines of which are highly appreciated, and those 

 of Lower Bretagne producing wines which are esteemed. Vineyards become 

 more numerous in the fourth region, especially in the Charentes, where Co- 

 gnac is made: however, the average value is low, wine farms having lost 

 a great deal of their value since the ravages caused by the phylloxera. 

 The average rises again in the fitth region, which includes the Bor- 

 deaux district, renowned for its vineyards, and again in the sixth, 

 where vines are by far the most important crop. In the seventh region 

 we find the same conditions as in the first three regions : wine being httle 

 plentiful there, it is sold at high prices ; in addition, some of the wines of the 

 region, those of Jura, Rhone and Drome are much appreciated. In the eighth 

 region, which includes Champagne, and the nuith in which Burgundy is in- 

 cluded, we find the highest averages, due to the excellence of their wines 

 and their world wide reputation. While considerably lower, the average 

 in the tenth region is still fairly high, there being here also some good 

 vineyards, those of Touraine. for exam.ple. Then it falls again in the eleventh 

 region, which is of only secondary importance from the point of view of viti- 

 culture. Moorland, by its nature, as a rule, only gives an inconsiderable re- 

 turn and consequent] }'■ the valuation of it presents little interest. We 

 find the highest average rental value of this class of holdings in the second 

 and third regions, where there are districts of Hvestock improvement, and 

 the natural produce of the region can be easily utilised for feeding the 

 animals and as Utter. 



3rd. , Market Price. — As we know, the department of Direct Taxation not 

 only established the rental value or net revenue of xmbuilt on land, it also 

 ascertained its market price at the same time. 



Let us, however, remark that enquiry into the market price was not 

 ordered by the law of December 31st., 1907, but only enjoined, for statistical 

 ptirposes, in the Ministerial Instructions of December 31st., 1908. The in- 

 formation under this head, which has not yet been submitted to the double 

 check of comparison with the estimate of the relative value and com- 

 munication to the landowners, is not consequently as reliable as that for 

 the rental value ; but the information in the papers none the less is of great 

 interest as evidence. 



According to the results of the work of valuation, the market price of 

 the holdings, amounting to 62, 793, 054, 323 frs., is distributed as follows 

 among the various types of farm or holdings : 



