We were far from expecting so much success from this legislation 

 <5oncerning the clubs. For my part, I am happy to say that it has 

 greatly exceeded my forecast. The clubs have expended ^'27,000 in 

 the improvement of our agriculture in different localities. Thanks to 

 them, our JovrnnI of Agriculture numbers 30,000 subscribers. They 

 are generally presided over by the cures or by persons of influence in 

 the parish ; the members number 21,800, and all this in little more 

 than a year. The house will remember that, at the beginning of the 

 present session, in order to grant to these clubs a dollar for each mem- 

 ber, we had to place the sum of $25,000 in the supplementary esti- 

 mates for 18!>3. 



Should the movement continue, we shall soon have a club in every 

 parish. 



I have every reason to hope ihat by this means I shall be able o 

 address a considerable number of farmers. These societies receive 

 the public documents as well as the publications that furnish inform- 

 ation on the best way of conducting remunerative agriculture. 



The clubs, like the agricultural societies, are obliged to send in a 

 yearly report to the department. By consulting those we have 

 already received, we can judge of the result.'s obtain/d. 



I will not 1 nger over the recital of these reports, some of which, 

 however, are very interesting. We publish, in the Journal of Agricul- 

 ture, as far as space will allow, those that will serve as models. The 

 Hon. members read I suppose, irom time to time, this journal which, 

 I am happy to say, is appreciated by our rural population ; they must 

 have seen the fortunate results which have been attained, even by those 

 clubs that do not possess large means. In many places the system of 

 farming has been strikingly improved. Everywhere the people dis- 

 cuss, read and gain information. Here, at L'''vis. prizes have be.'u 

 given for the best built, the best cared for cowhouses. In the County 

 of Assomption, they have succeeded in placing -at the service of a 

 whole parish thoroughbred breeding stock, and at the same time in- 

 creasing the means of the association. In other parts, the growing of 

 green fodder crops, the secret of successful dairying, has been 

 vigorously pursued. Others, not having enough farmyard manure, 

 have devoted all their means to the purchase of fertiKseis. It is 

 pleasure enough to relate all these new attempts done in common, 



