Agricultural Administration in Austria-Hungary. 709 
In a place of honour in the hall is the original (now worm-eaten) 
wooden plough with which the Emperor Joseph II. about a 
hundred years ago ploughed a field with his own Imperial hands to 
snow bis sympathy with agriculture. The exact spot is indicated 
by a monument in bronze erected at Slawikowitz, wbich is passed 
on the railway journey from Briinn to Wiscbau. I may perhaps 
be allowed to chronicle here with some pride my election, after 
my visit to Briinn, as a Corresponding Member of this ancient 
and distinguished Society, the full title of which is " K. K. 
Mahriscli-Schlesische GesellscJutft fur Aclierbau-Natur- und 
Landeskunde." 
A considerable period elapsed before any other provincial 
societies were founded. In 1812 the Imperial and Royal Agri- 
cultural Society at Vienna, now perhaps the most important of 
all, was formed for Lower Austi-ia ; and this was followed by 
the society for Styria in 1819 ; for Galicia in 1845 ; for Salzburg 
in 1848; for Bukowina in 1852; for Vorarlberg in 1861; and 
for Silesia in 1865. 
These societies nominate their own officials and committees, 
without interference from the Government ; but they all receive 
subventions, and in the majority of provinces there is also a 
central forestry society. The subventions take the form of money 
prizes and medals at agricultural shows, and grants for public 
improvements (such as river embankments, drainage, water- 
supply, &c), agricultural experiments, special cultivations, plant- 
ing of trees, improvements in the breeding of cattle and other 
live-stock, silk-culture, and the like, adapted to the needs of each 
province. 
The particulars given above are, as already mentioned, sum- 
marised from a great variety of official publications and copious 
notes of interviews made at the time of my visit ; and as they 
have been revised in proof by those chiefly concerned, it is 
hoped that they comprehend all essential facts as to the agricul- 
tural administration of Austria-Hungary. The actual practice 
of agriculture in the Empire will form the subject of a further 
article, to be published in the next volume of the Journal. 
Ernest Clarke. 
