FRANCE. The Society of Agriculturists of France has more than 11,000 members, maintains a library and chemical laboratory,holds meetings, at which lectures are given by eminent agricul tural experts, gives annual prizes, and patronizes the agricultural shows given under the ministry of agriculture in different parts of France. The National Society of Agriculture of France and the National Society for the Promotion of Agri culture are also very important French societies.
The Royal Danish Agricultural Society, the Central Society of Agriculture of Belgium, the Society of Italian Agriculture, the Imperial Ag ricultural Society at Vienna, the Agricultural Association of Hungary, and the Imperial Eco nomic Association at St. Petersburg are among the most active and influential agricultural or ganizations in Europe.
AG mem:I'm:AL SYNDICATES. In recent years cooperative unions (see COOPERATION) have been formed in large numbers in most of the countries of Europe, and have exerted an increasing influ ence in the promotion of agricultural advance ment. These have reached their most complete development, as directly related to agriculture, in France, where they are known as agricultural syndicates. The syndicates are national, re
gional, or local in their organization and opera tions. Their number has reached about 2500 and their membership about 800,000, including all classes interested in agriculture. They do an extensive business in the purchase of fertilizers, feeding stuffs, seeds, plants, implements, and live stock (especially animals for common use in breeding), and in the sale of agricultural prod ucts. 'They have also established cooperative dairies, and factories for fruit pulp, olive oil, etc., and have developed numerous forms of co operative insurance. They have also dissemi nated much information through meetings and the agricultural press. and have exerted impor tant political influence on legislation affecting agricultural interests. Some syndicates have re ceived financial aid from the Government, and others have been aided by private endowments. Otherwise they are supported by fees and broker age. The organization and spread of the syndi cates have been greatly promoted by the assist ance of the agricultural societies throughout France.