Royal Agricultural College of Cirencester. 3 



1844, at which it was resolved, on the motion of the late Earl 

 Ducie, seconded by Mi*. Kearsey, a tenant-farmer, " That it is 

 expedient to provide an institution in which the rising generation 

 of farmers may receive instruction at a moderate expense, in 

 those sciences, a knowledge of which is essential to successful 

 cultivation ; and that a farm form part of such institution." A 

 committee was then formed to determine on a plan for such an 

 institution, and on the best means of carrying it into effect. 



A further meeting was held on the 1st July, 1844, at which it 

 was reported that Lord Bathurst had offered a farm of upwards 

 of 400 acres for a long term of years, and adjacent to it a site for 

 the erection of the College, with some pasture-land, on a lease 

 for ninety-nine years. The Society was then definitely formed ; 

 a president, vice-president, and trustees were appointed, and it 

 was resolved that a Charter of Incorporation should be applied 

 for. 



The annual meeting of the Royal Agricultural Society of 

 England was about to be held at Southampton in the course of 

 that month, and a deputation, consisting of Earl Ducie, Mr. 

 Holland, Dr. Daubeny, Mr. Edward Bowly, and several tenant- 

 farmers was appointed to attend the meeting at Southampton, 

 with the view of obtaining the sanction of the Council for a 

 public meeting, which it was proposed to hold under the 

 patronage of the Society, while agriculturists from all parts of 

 the kingdom were assembled. This sanction, however, not 

 having been given, the deputation ultimately resolved to hold an 

 independent meeting. The late Mr. Pusey presided, and it 

 was attended by the late Duke of Richmond, Earl Spencer, 

 Dr. Buckland, Mr. Sotheron Estcourt, Dr. Lyon Playfair, and 

 many others distinguished by their scientific and practical 

 knowledge of agriculture. The views of the promoters of the 

 College having been explained, resolutions were proposed and 

 carried, to the effect that the institution was deserving of public 

 encouragement and support. 



By the persevering efforts of Mr. Brown and others, amongst 

 the nobility and landowners in various parts of the kingdom, 

 a subscription of 12,000/. was raised, the full amount of the 

 capital required according to the original proposal. 



A charter was obtained in March, 1845, incorporating the 

 governors, proprietors, and donors, under the title of the " Agri- 

 cultural College for teaching the science of Agriculture and the 

 various sciences connected therewith, and the practical applica- 

 tion thereof to the cultivation of the soil, and the rearing and 

 management of stock." 



This sum of 12,000/., however, was soon found to be inade- 

 quate to the completion of the projected College, iiTespective of 



B 2 



