1921.] Staffordshire Farm Institute, RoDi^AsroN. 495 



THE STAFFORDSHIRE FARM 

 INSTITUTE, RODBASTON. 



J. C. RusHTON, F.H.A.S., 

 Principal of tJic F'arm histitnte, and Assistatit Director for 

 Agricultural Education^ Staffordshire Counttj Councd. 



The Staft'ordsliire County Council propose to open the Lod- 

 baston Farm Institute for the reception of pupils early in October. 

 The estate, which comprises 583 acres, was purchased eariy in 

 (lie 3^ear 1919. A portion, 208 acres, has been utilised for a 

 .small-holdings colony, and the remainder has been retained for 

 •educational purposes. There are on the farm extensive faim 

 buildings, a bailiff's house, and a large mansion containing up- 

 wards of thirty rooms. There is an extensive walled garden 

 A\hich contains large glass houses. 



From an historical point of view the estate is of interest . 

 The name ''Rodbaston " is of considerable antiquity. It figures 

 in the Domesday Survey, made in the year 1086, as the manor 

 of Redbaldstone, County of Stafford. At that time it was the 

 property of Richard the Forester, otherwise known as Richard 

 the Hunter, and was conferred upon him by favour of William 

 the Conqueror in return for his services as keeper of the then 

 existing and adjacent forest of Kanoc (Cannock). The mound 

 •on which the original house was built is still to be seen sur- 

 rounded by an ancient moat. 



The Institute is situated in the Parish of Gailey, eight milei 

 from the county town of Stafford, and an equal distance from 

 the busy manufacturing town of Wolverhampton. 



Owing to the need for economy tlu' original scheme has been 

 'greatly modified. For the pres^^n!", temporary dairy accom- 

 modation has been provided, and a house for the Principal is in 

 course of ere-.-tion. Arrangements have been made in the 

 hostel for classrooms and a laboratory. At the farm buildings 

 there are a carpenter's and a blacksmith's shop. 



When certain alterations have been made in the house there 

 wiil be accommodation for the residence of the staff and for 

 twenty-five students. 



The coiu'se of instruction for male students is intended to 

 extend over two terms, each of eleven weeks, from October to 

 March, and it is ])r()posed to provide a summer course for women 

 students from April to July. 



The chief aim of the instructicm givtMi will be to prepare 

 young men and wouien for the daily routine work on the farm 



