LANDLOEDS A NATUEAL GEOWTH 151 



two terms, the first from October to March 15, the second 

 from March 15 to August. All the pupils are obliged to 

 pass the entrance examination, unless they have previously 

 taken the degree of Bachelier es-Sciences. They may be 

 either externes or internes. The externes pay 200 francs a 

 year for their lectures ; the internes pay from 1 ,000 francs 

 to 1,200 francs for their 'pension and lectures. There are 

 bursaries in each of the three colleges, which are filled up 

 in open competition among the pupils of the farm schools. 

 The Institut Agronomique, which crowns the fabric, forms 

 a faculty of agriculture. 



Besides these schools in the general practice and 

 science of agriculture, there are special schools, such as 

 the sheep farm at Rambouillet, the gardening establish- 

 ment at Versailles, the school of drainage and irrigation 

 at Lezardeau, near Quimperle, the three veterinary schools 

 of Lyons, Alfort, and Toulouse, and the ecoles cle dressage 

 like that near Caen. In 1879 departmental professors 

 were appointed, whose duties are twofold. Under the 

 direction of the Minister of Education, they lecture at the 

 normal schools to pupils who are being trained as school- 

 masters ; under the instructions of the Minister of Agri- 

 culture, they hold conferences with the agriculturists, 

 teachers, and proprietors of each canton, perambulate all 

 the country villages to observe agricultural processes, 

 keep in touch the various local societies, and spread the 

 knowledge of improvements. By the law of June 16, 

 1879, each department is to be provided with a professor, 

 and their agricultural duties were minutely defined in a 

 circular of M. Tirard in 1881. 



Agricultural shows amd competitions as well as horse- 

 races are encouraged by the State. The great central 

 show is held at Paris ; but, for the promotion of provincial 



