Woburn 
experiments. 
Particulars of 
experimental 
lands. 
850 = 554 Influence of Chemical Discoveries on 
The chemistry of the malting process, the loss of food co 
stituents during its progress, and the comparative feeding-val 
of barley and malt have also been investigated. 
Experimental Station at Woburn, Bedfordshire. < 
Origin, Objects, and Plan of the Woburn Experiments. — 
the autumn of 1875, Mr. C. Randell proposed to the Coum 
of the Royal Agricultural Society that it be referred to t 
Chemical Committee to consider the propriety, and the manne 
of instituting a series of experiments, to test the accuracy of t 
estimated value of manure obtained by the consumption 
different articles of food, as given in Mr. Lawes' Paper in t 
'Journal' of the Society for that spring (vide supra, p. 575). T. 
subject had become especially important since, in accordan 
with the provisions of the Agricultural Holdings Act, compe 
sation to outgoing tenants for the unexhausted value of purchasi 
food would become subject to arbitration. Mr. Randell propos' 
that such experiments should be conducted by practical farme: 
in different districts, so as to secure a great variety of soil ai 
climate, and that the Society should grant funds for the purpoi 
In the course of the inquiry and discussion which arose in co 
nection with Mr. Randell's motion, it seemed to be general 
considered that further experimental evidence on the subje 
might be of much value ; but it was at the same time decid 
that the probability of obtaining sufficiently accurate and app 
cable results in that way was not such as to justify the Count 
of the Society in making a grant for the purpose. 
Under these circumstances, his Grace the Duke of Bedfo 
expressed his desire to afford facilities for making new e 
periments at his own cost ; and Mr. Lawes and myself we 
requested to draw up a scheme for carrying on, at Wobui 
such experiments as they, in communication with the Chemic 
Committee, might determine on. His Grace offered to give i 
for the purpose Crawley Mill Farm, comprising about 90 acn 
with the house and buildings. But, on examination, it v, 
found that there was no sufficient area on that farm so even 
character and in condition of soil as to render it available 1 
a considerable series of comparative field experiments. Eve 
tually, after inspection of many others, a large field of mu 
more suitable land was selected, on Birchmoor Farm ; and 1 
Giace made arrangements with the tenant to give it up for t 
purpose. Crawley Mill Farm is, however, also retained, as 
means of providing a residence for the superintendent of t 
experiments, the requisite buildings, and the opportunity 
having at command the necessary horse and hand labour for 1 
experiments. 
I 
