Agriculture and the House of Russell. 
141 
ruaiy 28, 1875, when the Duke was present, the late Dr. 
Voelcker, in reply to a direct question from the Chair, said 
(Q. 1033) he thought there would be great difficulty in carrying 
out "practical" experiments of the kind proposed in different 
places ; that it would be better to begin with one experimental 
station and prove by experience the utility of such experimental 
stations, and then to extend them to other parts of the country ; 
and that he should like to see one thoroughly well-established 
and well-conducted experimental station on land differing as 
much as possible from that at Ilothamsted. 
In the course of the inquiry and the discussion which arose 
in connection with Mr. Randell's motion, it appeared to be 
generally considered that further experimental evidence on ti e 
subject might be of much value ; but it was at the same time 
decided that the probability of obtaining sufficiently accurate 
and applicable results in that way was not such as to justify the 
Council in making a grant for the jourpose. The Chemical 
Committee reported in April 187G that they felt '• they would 
only be justified in recommending experiments, the results ob- 
tained from which would be held by a general concurrence of 
opinion, scientific and practical, to be thoroughly exhaustive 
and worthy of confidence." But they added : '• An opportunity 
for carrying out experiments has been offered to the Society by 
the Duke of Bedford," and they therefore recommended '-that 
Mr. Lawes and Dr. Voelcker be requested to draw up a 
scheme for carrying on at Wobiirn such experiments as they, 
in cohjiTuction with the Chemical Committee, may determine 
on." 
In this way originated the now famous Woburn Experi- 
mental Farm. The Duke expressed his wish that the experi- 
ments should be conducted at his own cost, and he offered 
to give up for the purpose Crawley Mill Farm, comprising 
about 90 acres, with the house and buildings. On examination, 
it was found that t]jere was no suitable area on that farm, suf- 
ficiently even in character and in condition of soil, as to render 
it available for a considerable series of comparative experi- 
ments. Eventually, after inspection of many others, a large 
field of 27 acres (Stackyard field) of much more suitable land was 
selected on Birchmoor Farm ; and his Grace with characteristic 
energy at once made arrangements with the tenant to give it 
up for the purpose, paying him coinpensation on the most 
liberal scale. Crawley Mill Farm has however been also 
retained, as a means of providing the requisite buildings, a resi- 
dence for the manager, and the opportunity of having at connnand 
the necessary horse and hand labour for the experiments. 
