[april, 1904.] Belgian Department of Agriculture. 19 



fish ; and also all matters concerning forests, waste lands, fishing 

 and shooting. 



A special branch is charged with the organisation of experi- 

 mental fields on rational and uniform lines, and with the 

 collection of statistics of research work carried out in Belgium 

 and other countries. The inspector who has to see that these 

 researches and experiments are duly carried out, is also always 

 at the disposal of any persons wishing to consult him on the 

 treatment of forests or the improvement of waste lands. 



The Department is assisted by Boards dealing with agri- 

 culture, with forestry and with public health ; and by committees 

 on sea fisheries, pisciculture and oyster fisheries. 



Work in the provinces is carried out by Veterinary Inspec- 

 tors, Agricultural Inspectors, State Agriculturists (Agricultural 

 Engineers), Inspectors and general keepers of rivers and forests, 

 and by dairy Experts. 



The agricultural section of the State Commercial Museum 

 the Analytical Laboratories, and the Bacteriological and 

 Chemical Institute at Gembloux, with its Dairy Station, are 

 also under the control of the Department. 



The service of State Agriculturists forms an important part 

 of the work of the Department by enabling it to keep directly in 

 touch with, and to afford practical assistance to, farmers in 

 Belgium. It was instituted in 1885, and only holders of a 

 diploma of Agricultural Engineer are eligible. 



The principal duties of the State Agriculturists are : — 



(a) To popularise the facts of agricultural science, by written 

 or oral consultations, lectures, experiment fields and demonstra- 

 tions ; to put themselves in direct communication with farmers,, 

 and give them free advice ; and to fulfil the functions of technical 

 advisers and agricultural lecturers. 



(b) To teach farmers the advantages of co-operation, and to 

 give precise information on the organisation and operations of 

 these agricultural associations. 



(c) To inform the Central Administration as to the work 

 done by these agricultural societies, and to advise as to the 

 financial assistance to be afforded. 



(d) To organise and direct courses of agricultural lectures for 

 adults, travelling agricultural Schools of Domestic Economy, 



C 2 



