Middle-Class Education. 13 



please the public eye ; therefore, when the Colleg-e was first 

 started, the farm had to be put to rights by the removal of old 

 fences, the erection of new fences, the making of roads, the 

 cleaning of the land ; and, in addition, the erecting of new 

 farm buildings. I did not happen to see the College in its very 

 earliest stage, but I can easily judge that we ought to make 

 great allowances for some disorder during the transition state, 

 though these points were undoubtedly seized upon as an evidence 

 of failure by those who considered their old practices more mone^j- 

 vfiaMnrj than the proceedings of the College. 



There was also a well-meant attempt at familiarising students 

 with the different breeds of cattle, horses, sheep, and pigs, bv 

 keeping them upon the farm. Field -experiments were also 

 undertaken. These practices caused a very heavv expense during 

 the first few years of the College career, which has told against 

 it in every respect up to the present day. 



It is but fair to state these matters, and to remember that the 

 Cirencester College was like a pioneer in a new country where 

 feAv find a good path to guide them, jVIoreover many people 

 are not aware of the enormous cost which is incurred in convert- 

 ing a farm out of order into a model one. The farms of many* 

 noblemen, which are thought very highly of for their neatness of 

 appearance and the fulness of their crops, have cost as much money 

 in improvements as the College Farm, if not more. In the one 

 case, the public know nothing of the quiet outlay ; whilst, in the 

 other, rumours of deljt get abroad, which, in relation to man 

 or institution, must always be damaging. After all, I think the 

 College with its farm is well adapted for affording a finished 

 agricultural education to the higher classes ; and if it were well 

 supported by landed proprietors for the education of their sons 

 who would have to do with land in after life, it might surely 

 answer the purpose of the directors to have some classical pro- 

 fessors attached to the educational staff. 



A farm connected with a college or school need not necessarily 

 be experimental. There are so many people with ample means 

 and time to try any new plants, systems of cultivation, manuring, 

 &c,, that it is altogether out of the question to attempt to try 

 every novelty on one farm. There are many professed botanists 

 and geologists in the kingdom, many botanic gardens and 

 private collections of plants, &c. ; by these ineans every new 

 plant may be tried and tested before the farmer need trouble 

 himself about them. Gentlemen who can afford themselves 

 a long college career and the aid of special tutors, mav learn 

 a great deal as a source of amusement, or to obtain distinction 

 in examinations, which the farmer's son cannot aspire to ; but I 

 must again protest against the cram-svstem which tries to put 



