POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF FRANCE 



of the National Association of British Cider- 

 makers, who had done a good deal by his writings 

 and in other ways, to promote fruit culture and 

 to popularize cider in this country, and his secre- 

 tary ; and, as they were on a similar mission as 

 ourselves, we joined forces. 



The Pomological Society of France has, for 

 its main object, the promotion of everything 

 tending to assist and improve the cultivation of 

 apples and pears and the manufacture and sale 

 of the beverages obtained therefrom. It has a 

 large number of members, among whom land- 

 owners, farmers, nurserymen, manufacturers, and 

 labourers are all well represented. It holds an 

 Annual Exhibition and a Conference, which take 

 place each year in a different district. Prizes, 

 consisting of works of art, medals and diplomas, 

 are then offered for trees, fruit, beverages, 

 machinery and appliances, and also for nurseries 

 located in the district in which the exhibition is 

 held. Beyond this, the Society, by conducting 

 practical and scientific research, and by publishing 

 the results of its investigations, does much to 

 stimulate the industry it represents. 



The exhibition in question possessed several 

 remarkable features, and is so good an example 

 of the thoroughness the French bring to bear with 

 respect to rural industries that I think it may be 

 both useful and interesting to give a summary of 

 our experiences in Brittany. On the advent of 

 peace the English country-side and those belonging 

 to it will occupy a much more prominent position 

 in the public estimation than they have hitherto 

 done, and there will be a far greater disposition 



157 



