18 
The Prize Farms of France. 
utmost pains. The wool is not quite so fine as in some flocks, 
but has a long staple. In form this flock surpasses its rivals ; 
" no pure merinos are more close to the ground, straight in the 
back, or have better loins and quarters." Their fleeces weigh 
4J lbs. (nearly), and have been sold at 2s. 4(Z. per lb. The flock, 
including 80 lambs, consists of 340 head. They show a clear 
profit of 85Z. IO5. a-year, or 6s. Id. per head. Five good cart 
mares are kept. 
A farm managed with so much prudence, intelligence, and 
perseverance, could hardly fail to show a good balance-sheet. 
The following facts are gathered from the books : — 
£. 
The farm at Reneville M-as let in 17D4 for 56 
And again let from 1800 to 1811 (a time of higli prices) for 96 
Ml-. Dargent values the farm when he took it at .. .. 2880 
(A liberal allowance, for laud was then hardly worth 
30 j-ears' purchase.) 
The stock he took was valued at 1200 
Making a total of 4080 
There were charges on the property of 17G0 
Which left a clear capital of 2320 
The jury when examining the books found that, for the 
thirteen years from 1846 to 1859, the profits amounted to 3175/., 
or 241/. on the average. The three last years showed a higher 
average of 252/. ^ 
Mr. Dargent thinks he may fairly value the estate at .. G800 
The stock, as by inventory, at 2320 
He had in bank or invested in 1859 2495 
He had paid for exemi3tion from military service (! ) .. 777 
For dower for his nieces 2400 
For purchase of land 160 
His capital had therefore increased from ,. £2320 to 14,952 
Thus after weathering several storms — the destruction of his 
buildings by fire — the failure of the sugar-mill with which he 
was connected — the conscriptions — M. Dargent has attained 
his aim, never diverted from it but for a while in old times 
to serve in the " Cohorts," and again at the critical period of 
1848, when the discrimination of his fellow-citizens constrained 
him to exhibit his good sense, modesty, and integrity in 
the General Assembly. The jury, when comparing M. Dar- 
gont's performances with those of his competitors, find he has 
tlono more than they, better than they, sooner than they ; 
his younger rivals may then well make way for this "Master of 
Practical Agriculture." The jury, in fine, suggest to the 
Emperor's Government a course which exceeds their own 
