use in France, especially for the miscellaneous work required there. The Percheron and Boulonnais French breeds are altogether the best adapted to France. They are less bulky than the English or Belgians, but make up for this by firmer muscles and greater energy. They also make excellent omnibus and tramway horses, and for heavy carting they have better feet for city pavements than either of the above races. The Percheron and Boulonnais races show evident remains of Arabian blood. This crossing doubtless goes back to the Crusades, and is indelible; the size and form shows it, as well as the gray color— that of the original Arabian. These races were long used in France for the diligence service and post horses of their calling. Therefore attention was turned to rendering them larger and stronger for heavy carting. Foreign purchasers, especially Americans, bought them only by weight, and it would be regretable if such a custom, in going too far, should tend to deteriorate the race so that it should loose all aptitude for omnibus or artillery service. Certain Boulonnais stallions, kept in their purity, gained the first prize in 1878 for draft horses. In 1889 it would seem that the Percheron was much below the standard, and that the light draft horse existed, so to speak, no longer. Tempted by large prices the Percheron stock-raisers sought to produce size and corpulence to the detriment of other qualities, so that the fine post-horse of other days was in danger of becoming extinct. The Boulonnais race, however, is making great progress, and it is not with them as it is with the Percherons. Raisers understood what was needed and their stock has gained in lightness and in general appearanee what has been lost in corpulence. These horses are just large and stout enough to meet all requirements and nothing more, and yet their size does not deprive them of good conformation or of good temper. Some of the animals shown measured 1.66 meters (5) feet 5 inches or 16 hands 1 inch high), and were very muscular, yet had wonderful suppleness and energy. Their good temper comes from their healthy structure and good grain feeding. They are allowed to work at the age of 18 months and do not grow after the age of 3 years. They have strong heads and bright eyes and short but very thick manes; the chest is deep and muscular, the shoulders large, and the body low on the legs. Dapple gray is the most usual color, though there are many roans and bays. The show of Belgian draft horses was a successful one, since horseraising has made much progress in that country of late years. The principal races shown were the Ardennes and the Belgian. The former is common in France as well; yet out of 61 in the class (37 stallions and 24 mares) only 23 were owned in France, while all the gold medals went to Belgium. Some years ago it was said that the Ardennes race was degenerating through defective raising and imperfect feeding. An improvement, however, was to be noticed in 1889 and the bad points are beginning to disappear. The old names of Brahancon and Flemish horse seem to be now done away with and the two distinctions to be united and the name Belgian race to be given to the whole. There were 89 of these Belgians at the Exposition-47 stallions and 42 mares. The English show in this class was disappointing. There were only a few Clydesdales and one Shire horse. This last variety is a comparatively new creation and is very large and strong and has the legs furnished with long hair. It is generally of a bay or black color, and seems to be much appreciated in the large English towns. One colossal Clydesdale, "Bloomsbury," was noticed, owned in Kansas. Clydesdales are much in favor in Canada and Australia. No Suffolk Punches were shown. The show of donkeys and mules was very small, and nothing noteworthy was presented. The industry of mule-raising is a large one in France, however, especially in Poitou. PART II. REPORTS ON THE U.S. AGRICULTURAL EXHIBIT, AND ON THE AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS OF THE UNITED STATES. Prepared, under direction of the Secretary of Agriculture, BY CHARLES V. RILEY, Ph. D., REPRESENTATIVE IN CHARGE, AND A CORPS OF EXPERT ASSISTANTS. 479 The joint resolution of Congress—Arrangement as to amount of ap- propriation, and of space allotted to the Department—Organizing the REPORT ON THE INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF AGRICULTURE. Opening address of President Jules Méline-Remarks by the secre- tary-general, Mr. P.-P. Déherain-Enumeration of subjects to be dis- Diminution of the wheat and wine production of France-Diminu- tion of the cereal production in other European countries-Depreciation Progress in agriculture retarded by insufficiency of capital--Situation of the French farmer regarding credit--Various projects to create a |