REPORT OP THE DIRECTOR. 47 



SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 



The College undertakes work in the adjoining counties in connection with field 

 experiments, and lectures at rural centres, and advises with regard to insect pests, 

 plant diseases and the manuring of crops. Field e.Nporitnents are carried on at several 

 different points in each of the counties represented on the college council, the use of 

 the land required for this purpose being given by prominent farmers. The size of the 

 plots are from one-tenth acre, sometimes less, to one-fourth acre each, and from eight 

 to twelve plots are used in each case. The lines of experimental work carried on have 

 been with manures as top dressings on pasture ; also with crops of turnips and potatoes ; 

 rotation experiments, tests, of varieties of oats, experiments in sowing lucerne and 

 sanfoin; also with lime as a remedy for the disease known as finger and toe in turnips. 

 In order to give a more permanent character to the experimental work, the Hampshire 

 Oounty Council has recently leased 2^ acres of land at Botley, as a permanent station 

 for field experiments. 



VISIT TO CAMBEIDGE. 



A visit was also made to Cambridge and a profitable day spent with Prof. Wm. 

 Somerville, Professor of Agriculture in Cambridge University. In addition to the 

 lectures on practical and scientific agriculture given at Cambridge arrangements have 

 recently been made for the establishment of an experimental farm in connection with 

 the University where experiments in agriculture of a permanent character will be 

 conducted. A visit was paid to this farm which consists of about 180 acres, located 

 some eight miles from the town of Cambridge. 



About 150 acres of this land are available for experimental woi'k, and 30 acres 

 are in permanent pasture. It is proposed to devote about 60 acres of good even arable 

 soil to experiments with grain and other important farm crops. A sufficient area 

 -will also be set aside for horticultural investigations. There are at present about 2i 

 acres of land on the farm in forest and it is proposed to set aside 6J acres more for 

 experimental work in tree planting. The land appears to be very suitable for the 

 purpose, is of good quality, well situated and very even in character. At the time of 

 my visit possession of this property had just been acquired. Work will be begun with 

 experimental plots in the spring of 1901. 



Prof. Somerville has also the supervision of 40 acres of land in Northampton, 

 whrch has been rented for a term of years to determine the quality and nutritious 

 I)roperties of the grass grown with different fertilizers ; the experiments being similar 

 to those which Prof, Somerville has heretofore carried on so successfully at Cockle 

 Park. Forty acres are under similar control in Hampshire and a like area in Cam- 

 bridgeshire. In Norfolk and Essex from 16 to 20 acres are also under this line 

 of experiment. 



It was my purjwse to visit several other of the more important experimental 

 stations and teaching colleges in England, particularly those at Wye, under the 

 direction of Prof. A. D. Hall, where a number of important lines of work are being 

 conducted ; the Woburn Experimental Farm, under direction of Dr. Voelcker. The 

 Woburn Experimental Fruit Farm, established by the Duke of Bedford, and under the 

 management of Prof. Spencer Pickering. The agricultural and horticultural school 

 at Holmes Chapel, under the Cheshire County Council. The field experiments con- 

 ducted at Bramford, under a committee of the East Suffolk County Council and the 

 Agricultural College at Cirencester. The limited time, however, at my disposal was 

 not sufficient to permit of the carrying out of these plans. 



KEW AND KOTHAMSTED, &o. 



A profitable day was spent at the Royal Gardens at Kew inspecting the large 

 number of interesting trees, shrubs and plants growing there, and another day was 

 -devoted to Eothamsted. 



