EDITORIAL OBSERVATIONS. 4 77 
was so increased that no examination of any animal could 
be made. 
The distribution of the prizes took place on the Thursday, 
in a pavilion erected especially for the occasion. This salle 
was splendidly decorated with the national ensign, and upon 
each supporter to the roof, the French, British, and Turkish 
flags were elegantly as well as complimentally grouped. 
The Minister of Agriculture arrived about two o’clock, and 
took his seat upon a raised dais at one side of the pavilion. 
On his right sat M. Monny, Principal of the Agricultural 
Department ; and on his left, M. Lefebvre de Saint Marie, 
Inspector-General of Agriculture and Chief Commissioner of 
the Exhibition. Seats were likewise placed for the several 
members of the Commission, the foreign deputations, jurors, 
&c. The body of the pavilion was filled with the successful 
competitors, their friends and servants. Many elegantly 
dressed ladies were also present. 
His Excellency the Minister of Agriculture opened the 
meeting with the following address. 
“ Gentlemen, — We shall to day celebrate our sixth anni- 
versary of the concours of breeding animals. The first took 
place in 1850, and in a very limited manner. 
By a decree of the 14th of June of that year an appeal was 
made to the French breeders. Some distinctions were made 
between the different departments of France, but none 
between the different breeds of animals. Two thirds of our 
provinces did not cooperate in that agricultural gathering. 
This will not cause any surprise when it is remembered 
that the agitations produced by discontent then prevailed ; 
the time had not arrived when a firm and devoted hand 
should revive the prosperity of the country. In 1851, three 
country meetings were held at Aurillac, Saint-Lo, and Tou- 
louse, for the purpose of taking the necessary steps preparatory 
to the general concours at Versailles. 
In 1852, the exposition considerably increased, the num- 
ber of country meetings then amounted to seven. The 
animals were classed according to their breed, at the general 
meeting at Versailles ; a greater number of medals were given 
61 
XXVIII. 
