The Prize Farm of M. de Behaque. 
23 
only incident that breaks the monotony of their hard, dull exist- 
ence. Such a custom is fatal not only to mutual attachment 
between master and man, but also to the acquirement of skill 
in the use of improved implements. 
M. de Behaque has overcome this unkindly practice, and is 
justly proud of having attached to himself and his farm, foremen 
of 33, 13, and 10 years of service ; carters claiming 21 and 13 
years ; cowmen 15 and 12 years ; shepherds 18 and 10 years, 
&c., &c. 
One singular feature in this estate must not be passed over — 
the ponds or lakes (^Etangs) — the bane of the Sologne. We have 
seen that 330 acres of the estate were thus covered with water. 
One valley contained a succession of four such pools : the 
first, measuring 175 acres, is of service for water supply and 
water power, the fourth also acts as reservoir and watercourse for 
the chief mill, but the second and third have been abolished. 
This has been effected by cutting a canal in the hillside, which not 
only delivers the water from the first pool directly into the mill- 
head, but draws off the soak from the second and third ponds, 
and the drainage waters from the adjoining lands ; 30 acres of 
good meadow have thus been gained by an outlay of 300?. 
In 1857 more than 3000 cubic yards of pond-mud were taken 
from a pool which receives the drains of a village, and were 
spread on the adjacent pasture. The effect was such that the 
grass crop was lodged, and could not be cut by the mowing 
machine, and the mowers could barely cut 3 roods a day. 
In this, as in other cases, the Report is concluded by a 
financial statement taken from the account-books, which since 
1839 have been very exactly kept by double entry. 
Since that date the farm has been charged with a rent of 682/., 
which could not readily be obtained from a farmer ; the general 
expenses are also very large — 556/. yearly — an amount which 
the style of living and hospitality of a wealthy proprietor alone 
explains. Notwithstanding these charges the balance of the 
farm accounts is generally on the right side, but the real profit 
of the estate turns mainly on the fertility and wealth that is . 
being gradually accumulated. 
The price paid for the estate by M. de Behaque in 1826 £. 
Wcas 25,520 
The contingent expenses came to 2,436 
Between 1826 and 1839 there was expended on new piir- 
chases of land, on building and furnishing a chateau, 
enclosing commons, planting and replanting 1700 acres 
of woods, reconstructing farm buildings, draining and 
marling, forming embankment to the park, and purchase 
of stock 28,533 
Making a total of 
56,489 
