91 



and the necessity of adding practical cultivation to the 

 work of the school, necessitated its removal to premises of 

 greater dimensions. In 1899, the State purchased the 

 splendid estate of St. Victor. Before the French Revo- 

 lution, this estate was a convent of the Dames Chanoi- 

 nesses de St. Victor ; in 1793, it was converted into 

 national property. During the Wars of the Empire, it was 

 transformed into a military hospital. In 1812, Napoleon I 

 established his head quarters there, and occupied it for 

 several days. The estate was next sold to M. Ouvrex, 

 landowner at Huy, from whom the family Dijon-Rome 

 inherited it, and kept possession of it until 1899, when the 

 State purchased it. 



The buildings contain large aiid airy lecture rooms, 

 filled with interesting collections serviceable for instruc- 

 tion, chemical laboratories, separate rooms for instruction 

 in physics and drawing, carpenter's workshop, etc. 



A part of the etablishinent is set apart for boarders; 

 this contains large dormitories, an infirmary, dining hall, 

 room for amusement, etc. 



With a view to hygiene, the farm buildings are entirely 

 separated from the school buildings. 



The farm buildings consist of stables, cattle sheds, pig 

 styes and poultry yard, all perfectly fitted up, a loft, and 

 a machinery hall, which contains a stock of agricultural 

 implements. 



Independently of the ground devoted to field cultivation, 

 the school possesses a vegetable garden, a vine yard, w r all 

 fruit trees, etc. 



As the agricultural school is intended for the sons of far- 

 mers who wish to continue their father's vocation, the 

 instruction is theoretical and practical. 



To be admitted to the school, students must be fourteen 

 years of age, and have had a good elementary education. 

 The duration of the courses is fixed at t\\o years and the 

 instruction is free. The theoretical instruction includes : 

 the French language, Arithemetic, Geometry, Surveying, 

 Commerce, Agricultural Book-keeping, Agricultural Geo- 

 graphy, Sketching, Botany, Agricultural Zoology, Phy- 



