214 



the spirit of iutcUectual exertion and disqualifying the pupil for effect- 

 ive study. 



The following is an abstract of the leading points reported by Inspector- 

 General Boitel whose jurisdiction, covering fifteen central departments, 

 includes four farm-schools : 



The processes of culture, the financial management, and the practical 

 instruction in these schools appear to have been quite satisfactory to 

 the boards of examination as well as to the inspector- general. The sys- 

 tems pursued, while generally adapted to the wants of the region they 

 represent, present special features adapted to local circumstances. The 

 school of Chambaudoin is a school oi grande culture, and directs special 

 attention to the training of farm-supeiinteudents. Its methods of cul- 

 ture and breeding are of the most scientific character. Great caution is 

 exercised in recruiting the flocks and herds depleted by the late war. 

 Its domain is very fertile. On the contrary, the school of Hubaudieres 

 is located in one of the most sterile cantons of Lorraine, upon a farm 

 held by a long lease, with stipulations for reimbursement for soil-im- 

 provements. Its small area of good land is subjected to an intensive 

 culture, producing large cropvS. Its farm-implements are excellent, and 

 its system of records satisfactory. Charmoise sheep and Craonnaise 

 hogs are bred on the farm. The dei)artmeutal couu«il-geueral awards 

 500 francs annually in prizes. 



The school of Laumoy is especially commended for its soil-improve- 

 ment. It has a vrorkiug capital amounting to $40 per acre, and keeps 

 2,000 pounds of live stock per acre. The special aim of instruction 

 here is to impress the value of judicious culture, and to illustrate the 

 power of capital intelligently applied to production. Its theoretical in- 

 struction is not equal to its practical. The Agricultural Society of 

 Bourges annually awards a series of silver medals. 



The school of Saint-Michel, among the foot-hills of Morvan Mount- 

 ains, has taught the rude mountaineers how to grapple with natural 

 difiiculties. It has enhanced the rate of production, and introduced a 

 better kind of crops; yet from the granitic soil it has not been able to 

 extract a sustenance sufficient for the Charolaise cattle, while its sheep 

 are only the common breeds suited to meager pastures. Its excellence 

 of theoretic instruction has attracted a large number of pupils, in spite 

 of its inferior physical resources. 



