i9i i.] International Congress at Madrid. 4.89 



importance, and the programme was particularly full, more 

 than twenty-five papers being submitted for consideration. 



The first question dealt with was the means of keeping 

 agriculturists on the land, including in the term landowners, 

 farmers, and labourers. The problem has many aspects, and 

 it arises in different forms in different countries. Among the 

 six papers on this question that were presented, one of the 

 most important was that of the Comte de Montornes, on a plan 

 for the management of a large estate, which has been put 

 into operation in the province of Valencia.* M. H. Hitier 

 contributed an interesting paper, which was much appreciated, 

 on the provision of suitable housing accommodation as a 

 means of keeping agricultural labourers on the soil. Finally, 

 the section recommended a series of legislative measures 

 designed to facilitate the creation of small holdings, to foster 

 co-operation and all movements directed towards the promo- 

 tion of the general welfare. It insisted, also, on the advantage 

 that would result from a reduction in the excessive subdivision 

 of holdings. It also pointed out the advantage to munici- 

 palities, in conjunction with large landowners, of forming 

 "back to the land " committees, for the purpose of facilitating, 

 where desirable, the return of agricultural families to the soil. 



The second subject related to agricultural education, and 

 papers were contributed by M. H. Grosjean, on the agricul- 

 tural instruction to be given to the rural classes in France; by 

 M. Westermann, on agricultural education in Denmark; and 

 by M. Paul de Vuyst, on associations for women agricul- 

 turists in Belgium. 



Co-operation and agricultural credit formed the third subject 

 dealt with. The conclusions arrived at were mainly of a 

 general character. The section insisted strongly on the neces- 

 sity for freedom in the creation and development of agricul- 

 tural co-operative societies, especially those for the purposes 

 of supply, production, and sale. Suggestions were made in 

 regard to the organisation of credit societies that will be useful 

 in countries where such societies are not numerous. 



Questions relating to water supply are of the first importance 

 in Spain, and numerous papers on the subject were contri- 



A translation of the Comte de Montornes' paper appeared in the Journal, 

 August, 191 1, p . 394. 



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