International 



Agricultural 



Institute. 



2 I 



The general object of the Institute can be explained in very 

 few words, viz., the improvement in the condition of agri- 

 culture in the various countries. 



The improvement in question refers not to. one country 

 only, but to agriculturists throughout the whole world. A 

 proposal of this kind is almost natural at the present time,, 

 when better methods of transport, easier means of communi- 

 cation, and more frequent intercourse between people of 

 different countries, have created an international feeling of 

 mutual interest among agriculturists. 



The results of this solidarity may be more marked in certain 

 countries than in others. Occasionally thev may not even 

 be apparent, or they may be attenuated by the isolating effect 

 of hostile tariffs. It is none the less true that this solidarity, 

 does exist and that it increases with the growth of knowledge 

 and with the progress of civilisation. Frontiers tend, more 

 and more, to become mere administrative, fiscal or political 

 fictions, and tariff walls may be useless to safeguard or protect 

 the interests of producers when, for instance, the conquest 

 of the air — which is no longer in doubt — becomes more fully 

 realised. It is therefore necessary, even now, in view of 

 new inventions and of improved means of communication, 

 to adopt ways and means of minimising to the utmost the 

 injurious effects of too sudden alterations in the conditions 

 which mutually affect the nations. 



The producer who is isolated simply cannot exist at present. 

 Constant in his mind is the thought of keen and ceaseless 

 competition from all parts of the world. 



There are already numerous commodities, cereals in par- 

 ticular, which have the whole world for a market. Other 

 products, e.g., fruit, flowers, meat and dairy produce, which 

 at one time had to be sold locally, are now exported to ever- 

 increasing distances, owing to the adoption of refrigeration 

 in transport, to increased speed, and to the preferential tariffs 

 which are frequently given. 



The local market, which gradually became national, is now 

 international. Limits which are so wide demand from 

 agriculturists an extensive knowledge of the conditions 

 of production, as well as of the food requirements in every 

 country. 



