1574 



DEVELOPMENT OF AGRICUI^TURE IN DIFFERENT v:orNTRiES 



a rational redistribution of the land they have the legal right to enforce 

 the reform. 



The. improvement of the mountain holdings is encouraged not only 

 by the federal and canton governments, but also by numerous associa- 

 tions formed for that purpose. Such improvements consist in draining, 

 harrowing and manuring the soil ; in collecting and removing stones ; in 

 the building of roads, houses and farm buildings ; in the putting up of 

 fences ; and in the regulation of surface water. Between the years 1885 

 and 191 2, over £ 560 000 was spent on work of this kind. 



With regard to the granting of financial assistance-^ for the various 

 schemes for agricultural improvements and reclamation, the Federal Go- 

 vernment goes on the principle of helping those who help themselves and 

 only subsidises schemes towards which the canton have contributed one 

 half the estimated cost. The distribution of grants and subsidies since 

 1885 has been as follows : 



Lowland reclamation 1885-1912: 

 Drainage and irrigation (53000 acres) 

 Construction of roads (140 miles) . . 

 Redistribution of land among small- 

 holders (170 000 acres) 



Other improvements 



Mountain reclamation 



Since 1893 the Federal Government has also undertaken to pay 

 part of the salaries of the agricultural experts engaged by the cantons. 



II. — The total head of live stock in vSwitzerland has been valued at 

 £ 28 000 000 and the importance attached by the government to this branch 

 of agriculture is shown by the fact that the state grants a sum of £ 40 000 

 per annum for the encouragement of pure breeding. 



In all live stock shows, judging is carried out exclusively by the 

 system of score cards, a sample of which is given in the adjoining table, 

 and great stress is laid on pedigree which counts for half the total number 

 of possible points, as follows : 



Out ol 100 possible points, 

 16 points are allowed for the 2 parents or 8 points for each 

 16 points " " " 4 grandparents or 4 points for each 



16 points " " " 8 greatgrandparents or 2 points for eacli 



48 points 



whole pedigree. 



