420 EUROPEAN AGRICULTURE. 



and they support some pupils. The pecuniary results for the 

 last few years have been favorable ; and all profits go to the 

 support of free pupils, or to increasing and extending the benefits 

 of the institution, which is capable of accommodating seventy 

 pupils. The term of residence is fixed at two years, though it 

 will be seen, from the course of instruction adopted, a much 

 longer time is requisite to acquire a thorough education in the 

 branches prescribed. 



The institution at Grignon is designed to supply instruction 

 both in the science and practice of agriculture, and the constitu 

 tion and arrangement of the school seem admirably adapted to 

 this end. The students in general are from that class in life 

 who depend upon their own exertions for a livelihood. This is 

 as it should be. In the United States we have no other class, 

 and, from the present arrangements of property, are not likely to 

 have. Long may this wise and happy arrangement continue ! 

 In a great portion of Europe, a large part of the community are- 

 little else than beasts of burden. As long as they live, they 

 must carry upon their backs those who do not choose to main 

 tain themselves. It is a pity they could not put their burden 

 down, and make them &quot; go themselves.&quot; Their doom, how 

 ever, is fixed ; and with the present distribution of political 

 power, and the present moss-covered institutions respecting 

 property, there is little chance of an alteration. In England and 

 in France a class exists, of which, at present, in the free portion 

 of the United States, we know nothing ; and it may be some 

 time before they are required. These are the persons who man 

 age the estates of large proprietors ; who in England are called 

 bailiffs or stewards ; in France, agricultural engineers. Grignon 

 may be said to be particularly designed to educate this useful 

 class. At the same time, there are among the pupils several who 

 seek this education for the management of their own estates ; 

 and these agricultural engineers are themselves, without doubt, 

 hoping presently to become proprietors. In the south of France, 

 land is held generally under what is called the mettaycr system, 

 or what is known in the United States as taking land upon 



commissioner once in five years, and are to go, at the end of the lease, in acquit 

 tal of the rent. The money subscribed by individuals was given to the institu 

 tion. On this capital, employed on the farm, an interest of sixteen per cent, 

 has been realized, which goes, as above stated, to the benefit of the institution. 



