27 - 



breeding on the part of the State and of the local authorities can proceed 

 on exactly the same lines and be conducted on rational and economic 

 principles. 



The arrangement also aims at trying to get all the farmers, both 

 small and large, to co-operate in the work. Therefore it is seen that 

 among the conditions for the granting of a state contribution 

 to the agricultural societies there is a special provision which secures 

 for the small farmers representation in the direction of the societies. 



Under the agricultural societies come also the so-called Land Com- 

 mittees (see hereinafter). 



In addition to the above-mentioned agricultural officials in the ser- 

 vice of the agricultural societies there have of late years been appointed 

 several agricultural officials in the service of the local authorities : agri- 

 culturists and gardeners engaged by the Rural District Councils, itinerant 

 teachers for smalholders etc. 



One half of the cost of these officials is covered by the State. The 

 other half is provided sometimes by a grant made by the County Council 

 alone but most often one half (that is one fourth of the total cost) is 

 granted by the County Council and the other half by the District Council 

 in question. In exceptional cases a more or less large part of the district 

 contribution is supplied by a Banners' Union, a Horticultural Society or 

 the like. 



The following officials are at present employed in the service of 

 the agricultural societies and of the local authorities : 52 County agri- 

 culturists, 28 county gardeners, and about 150 district agriculturists, di- 

 strict gardeners, itinerant teachers etc. 



3. The Norwegian Farmer s' League, which has been in 

 existence for 25 years, is an association of farmers for the protection of 

 their interests. It is built upon local associations throughout the country. 

 Until 1920 the League was working on a purely professional basis and 

 sought to exercise its influence in political matters through the existing 

 political parties. But in 1920 it was decided that the League should operate 

 as a separate political party and that the professional and political work 

 should be carried on by separate sub-sections. By means of meetings and 

 lectures around in the rural districts, of great national congresses and of 

 agitation in the press etc. the League seeks to unite the farmers and 

 arouse in them a convinced and vigilant interest for the part that is played 

 by their class in the community. 



4. The Norwegian Farmer s' and Smallholder s' 

 Union is a young association, mainly formed as a parallel to the older 

 non-political Farmers' League and embracing the small farmers (the in- 

 terests of the smallholders). 



Moreover, of associations embracing the whole country we have : Det 

 norske myrselskab (The Norwegian Peat-bog Society), Norsk forening 

 til fjerfeavlens fremme (Norwegian Society for the Promotion of 

 Poultry-breeding), Norsk biavlsforening (Norwegian Bee-keepers' So- 



