presented to the ' Society des Agi'iculteurs de France.^ 169 
absolutely necessary ; the Frenchman would shut everything 
up, the Englishman would leave everything open. It would 
be impossible and even silly to suggest to our cultivators or 
proprietors to build farm buildings exactly like our neighbours, 
but what one can do in this study of the country buildings 
of our neighbours, is to look for certain practical notions which 
belong to every period, and certain details of execution in 
which they excel. Their first idea is a dislike of the mag- 
nificent and superfluous ; the absolute avoidance of useless 
expenditure is nowhere more evident in England than in all 
that relates to these country buildings, which are considered 
unproductive capital whenever they exceed what is necessary. 
The farmer would no more think of asking for them than the 
landlord would think of building them ; either of them would 
rather drain twenty acres than have a building which is of no 
use to any one. 
" Another idea we can get from the English is the desirability, 
indeed the necessity, of plenty of ventilation for animals. 
Without going as far as they do, for our climate would not 
allow it, we might do much more in this way than we do. 
We should like particularly to point out the arrangements they 
adopt for all animals, even those which are being fattened, by 
the provision of a small court adjoining the building in which 
the animal is confined, which allows it at the same time a cer- 
tain amount of exercise as well as the permanent shelter with 
which it must be supplied. 
" But in spite of all these elements of prosperity, agriculture 
in England is suffering as well as in France. Although with 
a very natural national pride the English farmers concealed 
from foreigners their wounds under the brilliancy of their Exhi- 
bition, and kept silence under their suffering, yet English agri- 
culture, even during our visit, raised a cry in the British Par- 
liament which was heard by all the world. We felt for them 
a very great grief. It is the only painful impression we bring 
back from our journey." 
I must say that I wish our French friends had seen more of 
us and at a happier time. Our cattle, at least in the north, do not 
lead quite such an exposed life as our visitors imagine. Those 
who know the value of covered yards and ample shed room for 
stock, will scarcely recognise the description of herds wandering 
forth at their own free will at all seasons, and even yet, although 
the custom is not so general as of old, the labourers and the 
hired servants of the house are fed by many farmers. Thanks, 
too, to our kind French friends for their sympathy in our year 
of difficulty. They have not been without their own agricul- 
tural troubles. 
