472 READINGS IN RURAL ECONOMICS 



an extract from the matrice cadastrale, or otherwise a copy of 

 the official survey. Notice is given of every transfer of landed 

 property to the administratcur du cadastre by the offices of reg- 

 istration and succession duties, as well as by his own surveyors, 

 who make periodical circuits, and ascertain, dc visit, what modi- 

 fications the land has undergone. A good surveyor knows the 

 "parcels" of his district just as well as a shepherd does his sheep. 



The notary draws up the deed of sale, which is signed by the 

 parties, two witnesses, and himself. The minute or original of 

 the deed is brought to the office of the registrar {receveur dc 

 r enre'gistrcmcnt), who puts an abstract, or summary, of it on his 

 register. By this formality the purchase and its date are fully 

 authenticated ; but the primary object of it is to secure the gov- 

 ernment duty, which amounts to 4 per cent, plus 30 centimes 

 additionnels, altogether to 5 francs 20 centimes per cent of the 

 selling price. 



After this the deed undergoes transcription. It is then no 

 longer the minute that is lodged with the registrar of mortgages, 

 but a duplicate duly executed. The registrar transcribes it in 

 full ; this transcription establishes the legal transfer of the prop- 

 erty as far as third parties are concerned. Under the Code Civil, 

 transcription was not required to validate a transfer. Under the 

 present law the purchaser who has been the first to have his 

 deed transcribed is the legal proprietor. The transcription is 

 subject to a duty of 1 franc 30 centimes per cent, with some 

 centimes additionnels. The notary's fees vary according to the 

 value of the property transferred. 



The essential features of the process may be summed up as 

 follows : 



1st. A deed of transfer is executed before a public officer (the 

 notary), who is responsible for its proper legal form. The orig- 

 inal remains in the notary's hands, 'and forms the title-deed ; and 

 thus individuals are secured against the loss of their title. 



2nd. This document is transcribed on a public register, with 

 a statement of the mortgages, if any, on the estate transferred. 

 An extract from this register may be had for a few francs, and 

 thus any one may readily ascertain to whom an estate belongs, 



