REMARKABLE RESULTS 89 



went by the name of " Cornices Agricoles " — 

 semi - official, State - supported bodies which, 

 originally created in 1848, were useful in their 

 way, especially as mediums for collecting infor- 

 mation, but were not sufficiently representative 

 of the agriculturists in general, and did not 

 constitute a real living force equal to the re- 

 quirements of the day. This said force came 

 into existence, rather, with the creation of " free " 

 or non- official associations, and the expansion 

 which these have undergone, as shown by the 

 " Expose Statistique des Associations d'Interet 

 Agricole," issued by the Belgian Minister of 

 Agriculture, is certainly remarkable enough, 

 considering the very short time that has elapsed 

 since they were started. A few facts and figures 

 from this report may be given in order to convey 

 an idea of the general position, before we con- 

 sider the particular causes that have led to results 

 so striking. 



Of local agricultural leagues, formed by agri- 

 culturists " for the study and the defence of 

 agricultural interests," there were in Belgium 

 at the end of 1901 no fewer than 77G. with a 

 membership of 42,059. The action of these 

 leagues is in some cases confined to a single 

 hamlet, while in others it may extend over 

 several communes ; but nearly all are affiliated 



