CHAPTEE V. 



FATTENING FOWLS IN FBANCE. 



In connection with all French rural observations it 

 must be remembered that France is a country of small 

 proprietors and small farmers, and that even where 

 land is rented farms are moderate in their extent. 

 Throughout many of the departments a farm of fifty 

 hectaires (120 acres) is regarded as very large, and the 

 more general size would be from ten to twenty hectaires. 

 This state of things has had great influence upon the 

 agriculture of the country, for much more attention is 

 given than prevails here to the smaller products. 

 Business is conducted in a less wholesale fashion than 

 we are accustomed to find in Britain, and there remains 

 that old-time custom of producers coming into direct 

 touch with customers, which is only possible when 

 markets are depended upon rather than dealers. And 

 it must be conceded that so far as poultry are con- 

 cerned French women are wonderfully skilful, though 

 in this respect there are some cleverer than others, as 

 will be the case everywhere. These differences will 

 always be found, and I have had offered me as bad 



