58 FRANCE 



which contains the true and only solution of the 

 social problem. It is from that interest that 

 proceeds the immense movement which is in 

 process of development on all points of our 

 territory, and which, to-day, has only begun." 



It was of the agriculture of France alone that 

 M. Meline thus spoke, and his special reference 

 was to the particular form of agricultural 

 association that the said " Syndicats Agricoles " 

 represent. That these organizations are de- 

 serving of the full measure of praise which has 

 been lavished upon them by the most enthusi- 

 astic of their promoters may be open to a certain 

 degree of doubt, for the position of agriculture 

 in France to-day offers this striking contrast : 

 that whereas in many respects combination 

 among the agriculturists has attained to a fulness 

 and a variety of development not to be surpassed 

 by any other country, France is, on the other 

 hand, distinctly behind Denmark and Sweden in 

 regard to dairy produce, just as she can show 

 nothing to compare with some of the co- 

 operative agricultural associations of Germany. 



These limitations notwithstanding, the vast 

 and extremely varied network of agricultural 

 combination in France represented by these 

 Syndicats Agricoles, and the material, economic, 

 and social results that have followed from them, 



