MEASURES FOR THE IMPROVEMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 389 



6. AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES AND SHOW. In various parts of 

 the country agricultural societies are established, and assisted by 

 the government, for the purpose of diffusing information ; and 

 these will, in all probability, extend themselves. A society in 

 Paris, composed of some of the first men in the kingdom, meets 

 regularly twice a month for the discussion of agricultural sub 

 jects, for the report of improvements, and, at the end of the 

 season, for the bestowal of premiums. An agricultural show 

 was undertaken the last year at Poissy, the Smithfield of France, 

 where some excellent native, and some very good improved 

 stock, though not to a large amount, was exhibited ; and here I 

 saw sheep of the very best and most profitable kind, especially for 

 such a country as the United States, where good mutton, and 

 particularly fine wool, are in demand. These were pure Merinos, 

 of a very large size, well proportioned and fat, and with fleeces 

 of an excellent quality. I have never seen animals of the kind 

 combining more valuable properties. It is intended that these 

 shows, of which this was a first attempt, should be continued 

 annually. 



7. AN AGRICULTURAL CONGRESS. Previous to this show, an 

 Agricultural Congress, composed of more than 300 gentlemen 

 interested in agriculture, and sent as deputies from different parts 

 of the country, had been sitting in Paris for a fortnight, to dis 

 cuss practical questions in agriculture, and likewise political 

 questions bearing upon it ; which was done with great ability. 

 At Poissy, the minister of agriculture distributed premiums of 

 large amount ; and every circumstance indicated an active, an 

 increased, and increasing attention to this great subject. 



8. CONSERVATORY OF ARTS AND TRADES. Paris is, in the 

 next place, distinguished by its direct means of scientific instruc 

 tion. It has what is called a Conservatory of Arts and Trades. 

 This is, properly speaking, a school for the industrial and me 

 chanical classes. Here is a complete collection of models or of 

 examples of agricultural buildings and implements to say 

 nothing of other arts not only of those in use in France, but 

 specimens of the best of every description which are used in 

 foreign countries. Here, under accomplished professors, courses 

 of agricultural lectures, or rather of chemistry and mechanics 



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