I30 International Agricultural Institute, [june, 



way that production would be aided, tra.nsport rendered cheaper 

 and quicker, and a more convenient basis established for the 

 determination of prices. ;: This Bureau, acting in accordance 

 with the various departments of State concerned with agricul- 

 ture, would also furnish preciseJnformation on the condition of 

 the labour market in different places, so that emigrants would 

 have a useful and reliable guide ; wotild promote agreements 

 for the common protection against those diseases of plants and 

 cattle which measures undertaken locally are unable to cope 

 with successfully ; and in the last place would encourage, when 

 the opportunity offered, the development of rural co-operation^ 

 assurance, and agricultural credit. ^ ; ' 



" The beneficial effects of a Bureau of this kind, which, as a 

 bond of solidarity between all agriculturists, would be a weighty 

 element in favour of - peace, - would be far-reaching. Rome 

 would be a worthy seat for the Bureau, where th^ representa.- 

 tives of the adherent States and of the principal agricultural 

 associations would meet,-and harmonize the authority of the 

 Government -with the free energy of the cultivator of the soil.", 



The Conference for the further consideration of the proposa-l 

 was formally opened at Rome on the 28th of May, 1905, forty 

 different States being represented. The following gentlemen 

 acted as delegates of Great Britain, viz. : — His Excellency the 

 Right Hon. Sir E. Eg^rton, G.C.M.G., K.C.B. ; the Right Hon. 

 the Earl of Jersey, G.C.B., G.C.M.G. ; the Right Hon. the Earl 

 of Minto, G.C.M.G. ; Sir Thomas Elliott, K.C.B. ; T. P. Gill, 

 Esq. ; while Sir Edward Buck, K.C.S.I., represented the interests- 

 ^f the Government of India.. 



The programme of matters to be considered by the Con- 

 ference comprised : — 



I. Constitution and organization of the International Institute 

 of Agriculture. 



2: Functions of the Institute. 

 >- (y?) To notify periodically information concerning agricultural 

 produce, conditions of labour, diseases of plants and cattle. 



{h) To facilitate from the international point of view the 

 organization and movement of rural co-operation, insurance, 

 and agricultural credit. 



((f) To propose, on its own initiative or on the invitation of 



