94 JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



Then comes the question whether a central fruit station would of 

 itself be sufficient : I think, decidedly not. 



Elementary horticultural education could better be carried on in each 

 of the fruit-growing districts. Certain trials and experiments, such as 

 best varieties of fruit to grow in different districts, and most suitable 

 manures to use, must be made in different localities and on various soils. 



How is this to be met? As already mentioned, we have existing 

 agricultural schools such as Wye, Reading, and others, which are doing 

 good work. These institutions, if they had a special Government grant, 

 might be willing to start or extend a horticultural department, and work 

 in unison with the Central Government Station. 



If certain important fruit-growing districts are without such in- 

 stitutions, it would surely be practical for the County Councils, assisted 

 by the Government, to start them. It is indeed a disgrace that three 

 adjoining counties, Herefordshire, Worcestershire, and Gloucestershire, 

 with upwards of 70,000 acres under fruit, have not one such institution 

 within their boundaries, and only contribute small amounts to an in- 

 stitution outside, which, as constituted, is only likely to be of use as 

 regards cider. If Government grants were given to these colleges, no 

 doubt many important experiments could be systematised. Individual 

 fruit growers would probably be willing to carry on certain trials under 

 the guidance of the head experimental station, if financially assisted in 

 doing so. Then again as to the destruction of ^pests. It would be 

 necessary to demonstrate by spraying, &c, how to deal with them. There 

 would be plenty of material at hand on private fruit grounds, but probably 

 not at experimental fruit stations, at all events at first. 



If a Government fruit station be started, which I sincerely trust it will, 

 the first important question is, Where should it be ? I notice it has been 

 suggested that it should be in the neighbourhood of Oxford or Cambridge, 

 doubtless on account of it being convenient for research work. This 

 smacks too much of the library and laboratory, and, I think, would be a 

 great mistake. It is no doubt desirable that the situation should be as 

 central as possible, but to my mind it is even more important that it 

 should be in one of the large fruit-growing areas. 



Situation and soil should be very carefully considered, otherwise 

 experiments and results are likely to be much interfered with. Situation 

 should be sufficiently high to be as free from effects of frost as possible and 

 not unduly exposed to cold winds. Soil also is a very important factor. 

 It is desirable that it should be of as uniform a character as possible 

 — that it should not be of a peculiar nature, such as at the Ridgmont 

 Experimental Station, where manures are stated to be practically use- 

 less (at important stations in America and Germany it is shown to be 

 otherwise). Possibly a fairly deep sandy loam would be advantageous 

 in order to obtain results from manures. If soil is rich in available 

 plant food, results of manuring experiments are likely to be misleading. 

 On the other hand, if there is not a sufficiency of lime (present or added) 

 manures will not show full results, or in some cases may prove positively 

 harmful. 



It would be a great mistake if too small a piece of land were taken. 

 Probably fifty acres would be none too large. The annual value of the 



