3i6 AN OBJECT-LESSON FROM SERVIA 



report upon, and render every possible assistance to, 

 the various agricultural societies and institutions ; and 

 to see that the laws and regulations concerning agricul- 

 ture are duly observed. 



The State further takes an active and very practical 

 interest in the raising of live-stock, pig-breeding 

 ranking with maize-growing and fruit culture as one 

 of the greatest of the national industries. The State 

 keeps stud-farms of its own, and supplies the needs of 

 the communes, each of which must possess a sufficient 

 number of male animals to meet local requirements. 

 The commune buys them from the State if necessary, 

 recouping itself from the fees it charges for the animals 

 thus acquired. The State gives prizes for the best 

 animals exhibited at the agricultural shows, and it even 

 grants subsidies to individual owners of breeding-stock. 



The combined effect of the State encouragement 

 thus afforded, and of the activity of various agricultural 

 societies, is seen in the steady progress which the 

 export of live-stock from Servia is making. Between 

 1900 and 1904 the number of live cattle exported 

 increased from 62,385 to 64,207 ; that of sheep and 

 goats from 55,683 to 74,928 ; and that of pigs from 

 77,000 to no fewer than 147,000. 



Much attention is also being paid to poultry-keeping. 

 The State has set up four special poultry farms (in 

 addition to those at the public nurseries already 

 mentioned) ; two breeds of imported foreign poultry 

 (including Dorkings and Orpingtons among the fowls, 

 and Aylesburys among the ducks) are propagated at 

 each, as well as the native varieties; and systematic 

 efforts which are joined in alike by special organi- 

 zations and even by certain banks are being made to 

 improve the primitive conditions under which almost 

 every household throughout Servia keeps its own fowls, 



