The French Peasant- Farmers' Seed Fund. 
325> 
The large towns were not directly appealed to, but the object 
ct the Fund commended itself to a large number of citizens who 
sympathized with the French peasantry as well as with the 
starving population of Paris. The subscription list, therefore, 
includes a considerable proportion of urban donations, and it was^ 
supplemented bv three grants, amounting in all to 13,000/., froni 
the Mansion House French Relief Fund, which was specially 
established for the supply of food to the starving multitude shut 
up in the French capital. Afterwards, when the organization of 
the Seed Fund had been fully developed, a Swedish Collection, 
amounting to G300/., and a Limbourg Fund, amounting to 
oi'o/., were placed in the hands of Lord ^ ernon by his Excel- 
lencv M. Drouvn de Lhuys, whohad throughout been the willing- 
guide and counsellor of the Committee in all matters on which 
tliev desired his advice. These various sums, together with 
refunds for railway charges, made a total of nearly 52,000/. witli 
which, from first to last, the Committee had to deal. 
The corn and other seeds bought bv the Committee were aug- 
mented bv donations in kind amounting to about 180 quarters of 
spring wheat, GOO quarters of barley, 350 quarters of oats, about 
300 sacks of potatoes, and numerous sacks and bags of small 
seeds, including turnips, swedes, mangolds, vetches, »?cc. »S:c. The 
representatives of the Fund also distributed large quantities of 
wheat, barley, oats, and potatoes for the Scotch and Irish Commit- 
tees, as will appear in detail under the heads of the several depots. 
At an early stage of their proceedings the Committee addressed 
themselves to the pressing duties of ascertaining the wants of 
the peasant-farmers, of purchasing the seeds which were most 
needed, of transporting them to France, and of distributing them 
in the occupied region. For the first-named purpose, they 
circulated the following schedule of questions amongst the chief 
resident ofticials and agriculturists in the most exhausted districts, 
through the medium of the representatives of the English press, 
of the National Socieiv for Aid to the Sick and Wounded ia 
\Var, and by the assistance of numerous private individuals : — 
Agkicultural Eequieements of Fkaxce. 
1. U hat are the agricultural features of vour district in the 
following aspects ? 
A Kinds of grain and other seeds generally used for 
sowing. 
B Kinds deficient at the present time. 
C Latest period of spring sowing. 
(a) Spring wheat, if grown. 
(A) Spring beans or peas, if grown. 
