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A Committee of Supervision will be instituted ever each farm-school. This Committee will be composed of the Inspector-General of the district as president, of a professor of science attached to an establishment for public instruction of the department, of three members of the General Council elected yearly by that body, and, lastly, of two members chosen from among the principal agriculturists of the department. The member belonging to the teaching-staff will fulfil the duties of secretary. The functions of the Committee are defined in the 9th Article of -the law. Its duties will consist chiefly in considering the programme of instruction, and the attainments to be required from the candidates. The immunity accorded by Article 11 to those holding the certificate of apprenticeship is such as to make it more sought after, and perhaps this will have the effect of attracting a larger number of young people to the farm-schools. The same Article 11 (sec. 2) ordains that, in the case of apprentices entered after the promulgation of the law, the premium on departure (prime de sortie) should be withheld if they do not obtain the certificate for completion of studies. This provision is intended to extend the privilege which existed under the old state of things to the apprentices entered up to this date, notwithstanding the Ministerial circular of the 23rd February last. The action of the Committee of Supervision will naturally take place on the occasion of the visits which they will make to the establishment for the various examinations. It is at this time especially that they will be able to ascertain if the programmes have been faithfully followed ; if the results obtained show a good method, and testify to the solicitude of the masters on behalf of the pupils. It will also be possible for them to assure themselves by the bearing of the young men whether, by a firm yet paternal hand, the necessary discipline is maintained, and a wholesome moral influence is exerted over the farm-school. But the Committee will not interfere in the farm-ing-operations. The directors of the farm-schools conduct the farming at their own risk and cost; having the personal responsibility of their management, and it is essential that they should exercise their unbiassed judgment. If I should think it right to advise you further on this point it will be to your interest to consider the same. In order to preserve unity in the management, I should recommend the Committee to show themselves very circumspect in offering direct opinions in their relations with you. They will record their remarks and criticisms, if there be any occasion for them,' in' an official report of their meetings, which will be transmitted to the authorities. The pupils of the farm-schools had not formerly the right to one year's voluntary service. This privilege is now acquired by those who obtain the certificate of apprenticeship. Nevertheless, this favour has not been accorded without conditions. Military exercises will be instituted in each farm-school (Article 7), and an officer of the army deputed by the Minister of War will attend the farm examinations. I shall have to consult with my honourable colleague on this subject, and I will forward to you special instructions as soon as I shall have decided upon the practical means of realising the prescriptions of the law. It is part of the programme of farm-schools to improve the primary instruction of apprentices. The 10th Article will permit them to have good masters, whom they may borrow from the Public Instruction Department without breaking their engagement with respect to military service. Several of your colleagues have expressed regret at different times that this power did not exist; you will now be able in future to intrust to a teacher the functions of a responsible superintendent. Such are, sir, the explanations into which it has appeared necessary that I should enter to show precisely the spirit of the law of 30th July, 1875. The wise and benevolent provisions which it promulgates will, I hope, mark the beginning of a new era of prosperity in professional agricultural instruction. I shall be obliged to you if you will be good enough to acknowledge the receipt of this letter. Eeceive, sir, the assurance of my distinguished consideration. The Minister of Agriculture and Commerce, C. De Meadx, For despatch, the Director of Agriculture. Law relative to the Departmental and Communal Instruction in Agriculture in France. The Senate and the Chamber of Deputies having adopted, the President of the Eepublic promul" gates, the law of which the text follows : —■ Article I. —Within a period of six years following the promulgation of the present law a chair of agriculture shall be established in accordance with the following rules, in the department not already possessing this institution. The programme of instruction shall include all branches of agricultural industry, and more specially the study of the methods of cultivation of the region. Article 2. —The departmental professors of agriculture will be chosen by competition, and upon the report of a jury selected by the Minister of Agriculture, and constituted in the following manner: 1, The Inspector-General of Agriculture, President; 2, the Inspector of the Academy ; 3, a professor of chemistry or physics; 4, a professor of natural sciences (these two last examiners will be chosen from the teaching-staff of the Agricultural Institute or of any agricultural school, and, in their default or absence, they must belong to the State University); 5, a professor of the Veterinary College or of the nearest school of medicine, or a certificated veterinary surgeon ; 6, three agriculturists, chosen by the departmental commission from amongst the members of the agricultural associations of the department, who are nominated by each of these associations; 7, a Councillor-General, designated by his colleagues. The professors of agriculture will be appointed by an order concerted between the Minister of Agriculture and the Minister of Public Instruction. Article 3. —The competition will take place at the chief town of the department. The examination will turn upon the general principles of agriculture, vine-growing, arboriculture, and horticulture, and on the sciences in their application to the situation, the productions, and the climate of the department.