58 



French Agricultural Soil Maps. [ April, 



Some progress has been made in the provision of similar 



maps in this country, and analyses .of soils which would 

 furnish additional useful data are steadily accumulating at 

 various centres. The problem is usually more intricate 

 in this country than in France. The foundation of this map 

 is the assumption that the soil arises from the formation 

 shown on the geological map. This is not true of drift 

 soils. France is less troubled by drift soils than we are, for 

 over much of the Northern part of England the soil is entirely 

 drift, and in some cases very complex drift which is not always 

 closely subdivided on the map. There is no doubt, however, 

 that many maps on this pattern might be made in this country, 

 utilising material and knowledge already easily obtainable. 



Lieut. -Colonel Louis Tebbutt w r rites as follows : — 



" In the course of my duties in France as an Officer of the 

 British Army, I visited a number of villages or ' communes.' 

 The commune is a more organised and independent unit 

 of government than an English parish, and possesses a 

 town rodjm or miniature town hall, which is usually attached 

 to the elementary school. 



" In one of these schools I saw a map Which was covered 

 with tracing paper to protect it from dust, light, etc. Under 

 the tracing paper the map appeared quite different from any 

 to be seen in England, but it resembled a geological map. 



" The Secretary of the commune, who is also the local 

 schoolmaster, explained that it was an agricultural map of 

 the parish. He could not say more, however, as he had only 

 lately come into the parish, but I was informed that this map 

 had been made at the ' Station Agronomique/ which is or was 

 at the chief town of the Department. 



" I therefore visited the ' Station Agronomique,' where I 

 made the acquaintance of the Chief or Director, who had made 

 this map and other similar ones. The ' Station Agronomique * 

 is a semi-state laboratory, and the Director is a person who has 

 made a special study of geology, agriculture, chemistry, 

 surveying and foodstuffs. His qualifications are similar 

 to those of an English public analyst, but he possesses a special 

 knowledge of the scientific side of agriculture. 



"A large library of books, pamphlets and magazines was 

 attached to his office, besides his laboratory, and in the course 

 of his duties he analysed soils, milk, manure, etc., and gave 

 advice. He said that he could not advise the agriculturist 

 on practical farming questions, but he could assist him on the 

 scientific side of his business. 



