1922.] Development on a 1,500- Acre F\inr. 



IB 



would be far too great to be accomplished with the means then 

 available. In addition, it was found tliat the proposed siding 

 would necessitate the erection of a signal-box and the permanent 

 employment of two signalmen. 



A solution of these difficulties was discovered in the purchase 

 of Station Farm. This ran right up to the main road and, 

 moreover, adjoined Shippea Hill station. It was therefore 

 possible to run a siding from the station to Railway Lodge Farm 

 without having the expense of maintaining a special signal-box. 

 This siding was constructed, and the work of developing the 

 estate proceeded rapidly. 



The next purchase was that of Decoy Farm, which lies on the 

 opposite side of the railway line. The disused duck decoy, after 

 which the farm was named, occupied a tract of about 17 acres, 

 covered thickly with brushwood and small trees. The work of 

 clearing the disused decoy was begun at once, and the faggots 

 thus obtained were used in the construction of a road running 

 along the new siding from the station to Railway Lodge. The 

 foundation of this road was of faggots overlaid with clinkers, the 

 whole being topped with a granite facing. 



From the point where the full gauge siding ended a system of 

 light railways began to radiate to the surrounding farms, no less 

 than 9 miles of railway being laid down. Thus it became pos- 

 sible to continue road-making in every direction, a task which 

 previously could not be undertaken. 



The most important and urgent problem was obviously that of 

 transport; when that had been solved the work of development 

 could be carried out in other directions. It will be easily seen 

 flint the construction of so many roads and railways required a 

 large amount of labour, and since further development of the 

 estate would also involve the erection of a large number of 

 buildings, it became necessary to have labour resident on the 

 spot. In 1910, therefore, a dormitory with accommodation for 

 100 men was erected at Railway Lodge, together with mess 

 rooms and a central kitchen. In these buildings the extra labour 

 required for road-making, building, and work on the land was 

 housed. 



Great difficulties were encountered when the work of putting 

 up farm buildings and cottages was begun. It will be remem- 

 bered that the surface soil of the estate consists of a layer of 

 shell marl resting on peat; the erection of any heavy building 

 in such circumstances obviously demands great care in order to 

 avoid subsidence. The procedure adopted in tin's case was to 



