220 



a judicious rotation of cereal, root, and forage crops. Flowers, shrubs, 

 and industrial plants are extensively cultivated. Viticulture is pursued 

 according to the most approved methods ; choice almond and olive trees 

 are also planted in large numbers. 



Veterinary Schools. — Besides the foregoing schools, several in- 

 stitutions for instruction in special branches have been established. 

 Among these are the three veterinary schools at Alfort, Lyons, and Tou- 

 louse. These are under the supervision o-f the departmental prefects. 

 The course of study embraces four years, and comprehends physics, 

 meteorology, chemistry, botany, geology, zoology, anatomy, physiology, 

 hygiene, zootechny, special and general pathology, medical and surgical 

 therapeutics, pharmacj', sanitary police, medical jurisprudence, &c. The 

 board of instruction consists of a diri;ctor and five professors, with a 

 number of tutors necessary to give proper instruction to all the pupils. 

 A variety of subaltern agents are employed in the administration of 

 the school. All the functionaries are appointed by the minister of 

 agriculture. An inspector-general is appointed by the minister to 

 supervise these schools. The management is committed to a coun- 

 cil composed of the director and jirofessors. The director receives a 

 salary of 8,000 francs per annum ; professors, 4,500 to 6,000 ; chiefs of 

 service, 2,400 to 3,000 ; stewards, 3,500 to 5,000, &c. The price of tui- 

 tion is 600 francs per annum for boarding pupils, 200 francs for exter- 

 nal pupils, and 150 francs for free hearers. Applicants must present the 

 same preliminary requisites as in the regional schools, and must pass 

 examination upon the French language, arithmetic, geography, and 

 French history. A regular uniform is prescribed. The school of Al- 

 fort admits forty pupils from the army, who are supported by the war 

 department. 



School of Shepherds. — This institution, located at theBergerie of 

 Rambouillet, the national sheep farm of France, is intended to train 

 young men in the management of flocks. It is open to pupils from all 

 parts of France. Every applicant for admission as an apprentice must 

 pass examination in his own commune, and must show that he was six- 

 teen years old on the previous 1st day of January. The same moral and 

 sanitary requirements are demanded as in the other schools. The pupil 

 must be able to read and write and must understand the ground rule* 

 of arithmetic. His application and accompanying record of examination 

 must be presented prior to the lOtli of September. The school year 

 begins October 1 ; every apprentice not present forfeits his standing in 

 school. All the pupils are boarded gratuitously, receiving the same 

 fare as the rural population of the country. They sleep near the sheep- 

 folds in regular turn. Their course of instruction lasts two years, and 

 no charge of tuition is made. The chief shepherd exercises them in the 

 management of all operations of sheep husbandry, lambing, weaning, 

 castration, pairing, gestation, parturition, shearing, folding, feeding, 

 slaughtering, preparation for market, &c. They are taught the best 

 treatment of sick animals. They also cultivate the land. If their 

 primary instruction is detective it is supplied by special teaching. 

 Their instruction is tested and completed by the sub-director. After 

 two years of pupilage, if they pass a satisfactory examination, they 

 receive a certificate with a premium of 300 francs. If they do not pass 

 this examination they receive only 200 francs. Each pupil is required 

 to bring with him a stated amount of clothing, which his friends most 

 keep him supplied with. The washing is done at the expense of th« 

 school. 



