June 1896.] 



GENERAL AGRICULTURAL NOTES. 



45 



wherein it is explained that the tuberculin test is only intended 

 for foreign animals which are imported into France in the 

 strict sense of the term, and that it does not apply to cattle 

 merely landed in France in transit to other countries. 



Animals in transit through France are not liable, either to be 

 tested for tuberculosis — whether they be store cattle or intended 

 for breeding — or even to be branded in the case of fat cattle for 

 slaughter. To benefit by this exception cattle in transit through 

 France must, however, be conveyed in trucks or waggons which 

 are duly sealed. 



Agricultural Banks in Belgium. 



The establishment of agricultural banks in Belo-ium dates 

 from the year 1891, when the Abbe Mellaerts, general secretary 

 of the " Boerenbond " of Louvain, began a very active pro- 

 paganda in favour of the Raiffeisen credit banks. 



These associations are based on the principle of unlimited 

 liability, and of strictly confining their action within the 

 smallest possible district, preferably a single commune or parish. 

 They are generally similar to those described in a recent number 

 of the Journal* as existing in Bavaria. The business of a 

 savings bank is joined to them, so that the loans to members are 

 defrayed out of the deposits, though, as will be seen later on, the 

 banks can borrow from the General Savings Bank. Some 

 modifications have been introduced into the system so as to 

 adapt it to Belgian legislation. 



The first Raiffeisen bank in Belgium was opened in the 

 commune of Rillaer, in the arrondissernent of Louvain. The 

 population of this commune, of about 2,200 inhabitants, consists 

 mainly of small farmers and seven or eight landed proprietors. 

 The bank was founded in September 1892, after a meeting of 

 all the inhabitants convoked by M. Mellaerts. Fifty-one members 

 were at once enrolled, and the association commenced work in 

 December, the transactions amounting to over 200£. during the 

 first fortnight. 



M. Mellaerts soon recognised of what importance the General 

 Savings and Annuity Bank might be in promoting the success 

 of the Raiffeisen banks. He accordingly approached its directors, 

 and they decided in 1892 that the Bank could, as an experi- 

 ment, make advances to savings banks and loan associations 

 up to 6001. at 3J per cent. These advances are made against an 

 acknowledgment signed by the association and endorsed by any 

 two persons (members or not) whom the Bank will accept. This 

 decision contributed greatly to the success of the Raiffeisen 

 system in Belgium, for, if the local banks stood in need of funds, 

 as might easily happen at first, recourse could be had to the 

 General Savings Bank. 



* Journal of the Board of Agriculture, Vol. II., Part 2, page 125. 



