296 [ASSKMBLT 



The soil is very variable j lower part of the farm meadow 

 swampy, but is being rendered sweet and wholesome by energetic 

 drainao-e. The upper part has a subsoil of partly decomposed 

 quartz. It is crowned uith very vigorous conifersB of two species. 

 This soil is capital for grain and grass. 



There are now thirty scholars under two masters, one agricul- 

 ture the other horticulture ; a steward and a chief director make 

 up the administration of the school. Ten hectares are in garden 

 and the rest farm. One half the garden is used for forced cul- 

 ture. The fruit school has 2,000 fruits of diiferent sorts. It is 

 proposed here to simplify the synonyn of fruits (names), which 

 at present is a Dedalus, This school has yielded valuable results j 

 thirty kinds of peaches are specially treated after the methods of 

 Dalbret and of Montreuil, giving them finely proportioned forms 

 and vigor. Liquid manures are used for fertilization, and to con- 

 quer or avert maladies. 



The wall for the espalier peaches is of wood, covered with a 

 thick coat of lime mortar of transparent white; it is about 16 feet 

 high, with a projecting cap or roof of nearly three f.^et. 1,000 

 square yards and more are covered with pear trees grown in 

 pyramidal forms ; they are of very rich, vigorous growth, and 

 fully equal to the peach trees in luxuriance. We admired that 

 wonderful order into which the rebellious trees have all been 

 brought, for instance, the Madeline, the Cuisse-madame (lady 

 thigh), Colmar d'Aremberg, the Noisette Lepine, &c. 



An extensive place of deposit for all the implements, where a 

 journal is kept of the name of the scholar and the implement 

 which he has in use. We thank Messrs. Louvel. the directors, 

 for their kindness to us visitors. Farmers have already profited 

 by lessons from this school ; they visit it in numbers, and ex- 

 amine the processes and results. 



PREVENTION OF THE EFFECTS OF DROUTH. 



Prof. Mapes — Upon the question of the best manner of prevent- 

 ing the effects of such a drouth as we have lately experienced 

 throughout this country, Prof. M. said : When we find an ab- 



