368 On Public Institidions for tJic 



cess; or, lastly^ which did not promise to establish by its results, 

 that the co-operation of the government was designed solely for 

 the advantage of the country at large, and not to promote the 

 individual benefit of the Company." 



Such has been the line of conduct pursued by the French 

 authorities with reference to Grignon — the nation merely coming 

 in aid of a private speculation, so far as to supply means of in- 

 struction of a better kind, and at a lower rate, to the pupils who 

 resort to it as a school of husbandry. 



Nor was this aid afforded until the institution had proved its 

 stability by meeting the engagements it had contracted; and when 

 given, it was rendered in a way calculated, not to diminish the 

 liabilities or to enhance the profits of the subscribers, but only to 

 extend more widely the benefits of the institution, and to augment 

 its means of diffusing agricultural knowledge. 



The establishment in question purposes to accomplish more 

 than can be effected by the ordinary system adopted for young 

 men brought up to agriculture, who are sent to reside with some 

 farmer living in a country celebrated for its successful husbandry, 

 such as Norfolk, the Lothians, or Belgium — its aim being to 

 form, not mere farmers, but persons competent to direct extensive 

 farming establishments, who, like civil engineers, should be able 

 at once, both to trace the plan of a system of culture applicable 

 to the circumstances of each case, and likewise to direct the de- 

 tails of its execution. This is provided for at Grignon, by 

 uniting such an amount of scientific knowledge as is scarcely 

 attainable at a mere private seminary, with practical instruction, 

 and a familiarity with the daily operations of the farm. 



The means employed for effecting this twofold object are as 

 follows. 



For the purpose of imparting theoretical knowledge, courses of 

 lectures are given on — 



1. The rational principles of husbandry, and on the conduct 

 of a farm. 



2. The principles of rural economy applied to the employ- 

 ment of the capital and stock of the farm. 



3. The most approved methods of keeping farming accounts. 



4. The construction of farm-buildings, roads, and implements 

 used in husbandry. 



5. Vegetable physiology and botany. 



6. Horticulture. 



7. The art of foresting. 



8. The general principles of the veterinary art. 



9. The laws relating to property. 



10. Geometry applied to the measurementand surveying of land. 



11. Geometrical drawing of farming implements. 



