Aisne

Aisne, a department on the N.E. frontier of France, S. of Belgium and W. of the Ardennes. Its greatest length is 75 miles, and its greatest width 53 miles, the area being 2,838 square miles. Comprised within its limits are parts of Picardy and the Isle of France. Laon is the chief town, and Soissons the seat of the bishopric. Other important places are St. Quentin, Vervins, Hirson, and Chateau Thierry. The undulating plains that stretch up to the hilly part of the Ardennes produce abundance of wheat, barley, oats, rye, flax, beets, fruit, and potatoes. Numbers of cattle and horses are reared in the pastures. The wine is not good. Much of the country is wooded, and building-stone, as well as slate, is quarried. The industrial products are very considerable, and include muslin, shawls, glass, iron, sugar, and pottery. An interesting and important experiment in co-operative production on Socialistic lines is being carried out at Guise, where 1,200 men are employed in M. Godin's ironworks.