336 



GENERAL AGRICULTURAL NOTES. 



[Dec. 1895. 



the quality of breeding heifers and cows by means of premiums, 

 and in paying a portion of the expenses of forming breeding 

 syndicates and of granting prizes for families and groups of 

 cattle whose descendants are registered in a properly kept herd 

 book. Some portion may also be devoted to assisting Switzer- 

 land to take part in exhibitions of cattle abroad. The amount 

 granted depends upon the number of cows and heifers of over 

 one year in each canton according to the last census (such a 

 census is taken every five years). The subsidy allowed for the 

 purchase of bulls and premiums must not exceed the amount 

 allotted by the canton, and the total sum granted for the pur- 

 chase of bulls by the Confederation and the canton, must amount 

 to at least 4^1. per bull. Credits destined to help in the forma- 

 tion of breeding syndicates are granted independently of the 

 sums contributed by the canton. 



Premiums are only paid nine months after award, and only 

 upon proof that, during this interval, the animal has served for 

 breeding purposes. If the canton requites it, the premium may 

 be paid only on account of animals which have been used for 

 breeding during a longer or shorter period. An exception may 

 be made in the case of Alpine cantons. With regard to foreign 

 exhibitions, the Federal Council may add the proviso that the 

 animals shown must be brought back into the country after 

 the exhibition. 



In 1894 premiums were for the first time awarded for cows 

 and heifers, the total being 3,049?. The payment of this sum, 

 or of such a portion as can be claimed by fulfilment of the 

 conditions, falls due in 1895. 



A credit of at least 8,000L per annum is entered in the 

 Budget for the development and improvement of horses. It is 

 provided : for the purchase and (if necessary) maintenance 

 of foreign stallions, and eventually of Swiss stallions when 

 these latter are proved to be not inferior to the foreign ; for 

 premiums for mares and fillies the issue of stallions acquired 

 by the help of the Federal grant ; for increasing the sum total 

 of the prizes awarded at exhibitions of horses by cantons or 

 societies ; and for subsidizing societies, syndicates, or cantons 

 owning good pastures for colts. 



Subject to conditions fixed by the State, subventions may 

 also be granted to cantons for improvement in the breeds of 

 smaller animals. 



As regards improvement of the land, the requests for subsidies 

 must be forwarded to the Federal Council before the commence- 

 ment of the works, accompanied by all necessary particulars. 

 The aid granted by the canton must be at least equal to that of 

 the Government, and the latter should not exceed 40 per cent, 

 of the whole cost. Government does not contribute to mainte- 

 nance expenses. The subsidy is paid after completion of the 

 works and inspection by the Federal Authority. 



The subsidies for improvement of the land are chiefly on 

 account of drainage of marsh land, and, to a less extent, the 



