1922.] 



Farm Institutes. 



611 



effects over a rotation of different methods of cultivation, (h) field 

 trials of various methods of sowing cereals, (c) field trials to 

 ascertain the most profitable crops for silage, (d) feeding experi- 

 ments with silage and roots, (e) commercial pig feeding experi- 

 ments, and (/) comparison of various crosses for early lamb 

 production. Work of this description is undertaken because it 

 is of immediate commercial value to the farmer. Every effort is 

 being made to extend these investigations in other useful 

 directions. 



STAFFORDSHIRE COUNTY FARM INSTITUTE.— 



Rodbaston Estate lies (at Rodbaston, Penkridge) in the centre 

 of an important agricultural district and midway between the 

 towns of Wolverhampton and Stafford. The Hall has been 

 adapted for residential and instructional purposes and will 

 accommodate 25 students. It is situated in beautiful grounds 

 away from the main road. The Principal of the Institute and 

 Agricultural Organiser for the County is Mr. J. C. Piushton. A 

 drastic modification of the original buildings planned for the 

 Institute vv^as made necessary by the economic crisis that followed 

 the War, and some of the buildings at Rodbaston are but make- 

 shift in character pending an improvement in the financial 

 situation. 



The Farm. — The farm is 315 acres in extent, about one-third 

 being arable. The soil is chiefly of medium loam overlying the 

 new red sandstone, but there are some patches of peaty and 

 of sandy soils. The stock kept on the farm is essentially of a 

 commercial type. A recorded herd of Dairy Shorthorn cattle is 

 being built up ; a first-class Dairy Shorthorn bull is kept and the 

 calves are reared. There is a small flock of sheep, and also pigs, 

 comprising pure bred Large Whites and Gloucester Old Spots, 

 the herd being kept largely on the open-air system. At present 

 the horses are kept for ordinary farm purposes but it is intended 

 to raise a registered shire stud. The farm is well equipped with 

 modern machinery, a motor tractor is used for threshing and 

 cultural operations, and gas and petrol engines are used to work 

 the ordinary farm machinery. 



Courses of Instruction.— The year's work at the Institute is 

 divided into two sessions. From October to March there is a 

 course for young men in general agriculture. The first part of 

 this course deals with soils, manures and crops from the farming 

 point of view. The requisite instruction in chemistry and botany 

 is provided in other sets of lectures and laboratory work. The 



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