June 1896.] 



FOREIGN OFFICE REPORTS. 



73 



of criticism as being unduly favourable to agriculture, and that 

 any proposal to raise the duty on wheat (which is, and has been 

 for many years, 6%d. per quarter) would have entailed the re- 

 jection of the tariff. It is further pointed out that the engage- 

 ments of the Swiss Government with those countries whence it 

 derives nearly all its imports of cereals could not be altered 

 without the risk of incurring retaliatory tariffs which would 

 seriously affect other Swiss industries. The opinion is also 

 expressed that the majority of the nation, when consulted by 

 means of the Referendum, would unhesitatingly reject a pro- 

 posal which might involve an increase in the price of bread. 

 The experience of some other countries is quoted, and the 

 probable injury to other branches of agriculture, resulting from 

 an increased import duty on cereals, is discussed. 



It appears that a joint commission of the Agricultural and 

 War Departments of the Republic last year considered various 

 possible methods of encouraging the production of native grain, 

 the scheme receiving most consideration being the formation of 

 military stores of wheat or spelt, the grain being renewed at 

 intervals of a year or two and the old grain placed on the 

 market. It was, however, held that, quite apart from numerous 

 practical difficulties, such a procedure would be of no help to 

 the Swiss agriculturist, because the class of wheat cultivated in 

 the country was not of sufficiently good keeping quality. 



It appears to have been the general opinion of the Council 

 that the Swiss grain is generally of so inferior a quality that 

 any rise of price which might occur in foreign countries would 

 not materially benefit the home producer, and Swiss farmers are 

 recommended to devote their attention to the improvement of 

 the quality of the grain, by exercising care in the choice of 

 seed, in harvesting and storing their crops, &c. A definite 

 suggestion is also made that more attention should be paid to 

 the cultivation of good barley, for which it is claimed that the 

 price is not subject to considerable fluctuations, and for which 

 there is always a demand for brewing purposes. 



Agriculture in Switzerland. 



The Foreign Office has recently issued a report prepared by 

 Mr. Arthur Herbert, Second Secretary in Her Majesty's Legation 

 at Berne, which alludes amongst other subjects to the agriculture 

 of Switzerland. 



The total area of Switzerland is 15,964! square miles, or less 

 than half that of Ireland, and of this nearly one-third is totally 

 unproductive. The cultivated area consists of 8,420,000 acres 

 of meadows, gardens, &c, 3.174,000 acres of forests, and 130,640 

 acres of vineyards. In other words about 68 per cent, is 



