796 
The Dutch Agricultural Colonies, 
seen that tlie idea was to make agriculturists of the poor of the towns, and 
in the meantime to cultivate the waste land. It was, however, soon ap- 
parent that these families could not so speedily acquire a knowledge of 
agricultural operations, nor suhsist upon the produce of their farms ; and 
this miscalculation resulted in great pecuniary difficulties. Several corpo- 
rations and municipalities, and not least the Government and members of 
the Royal family, endeavoured to save the Society. The Government con- 
tracted with the Society that vagrants should be placed in the colonies, and 
for this purpose large estahlishments were erected in the reformatory 
colonies — Veenhuizen and Ommerschans. Several thousands of vagrants 
were sent to these new colonies, a certain sum being paid for each indivi- 
dual. In consequence of the bad results of farmiug, manufacturing industries 
were commenced. The Government entrusted the Society with large orders 
for cotton goods, at high prices ; and in 1840 about 1,200 or 1,500 persons 
were employed in weaving. Notwithstanding all tliese efforts, the affairs 
of the Society became more and more involved, and in 1859 a composition 
was made with the creditors. Since that time the reformatory colonies 
have been in the hands of the State, and the free colonies have been re-or- 
ganised, and still remain in the hands of the Benevolent Society. Six large 
farms of from 125 to 160 acres were formed, new manufactories were intro- 
duced, the administration was simplified, and considerable attention was 
devoted to the growth of woodland. 
Under the re-organisation of 1859, the Government took 
over the whole of both the beggar colonies, land, buildings, and 
all, as a going concern, and relieved the Society of abotit 
460, 000?. of debt. Since then the Society has continued with- 
out hindrance its original function of j^roviding agricultural 
employment for destitute but deserving persons. It appears 
now to be in a very flourishing condition, although the serious 
diminution in the number of members (at the date of the last 
report there were only 4, 11 3 subscribers) cripples its usefulness. 
Everything is done in Holland by district committees 
(afdeelinf/eii), of which for the Frederiksoord Benevolent Society 
there are fifty-two, each with a chairman, secretary, and trea- 
surer. The committees recommend families for admission to 
the colony, the final selection being made by the Central Ad- 
ministration, consisting of five honorary members and a paid 
director, who resides at Frederiksoord. Each of the 4,000 
members of the Society pays an annual subscription of 2/(. 60r. 
(4s. 4(i.), and the district from which a labourer is selected for 
the privileges of the colony has to jDay 1421. (\,700Jl.) for the 
expenses of his installation. None but destitute cases are 
admissible ; generally they are without relations. An acquaint- 
ance with farm work, or with some trade or business, is indis- 
pensable. Single persons are not ineligible for admission, btit 
families are preferred. A normal household consists of six 
persons, four being children. If a family selected has less than 
four children the vacancies may be filled up by boarders. 
Boarders (generally children) are also placed with families 
