Harch 16,1894, 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
195 
A FRUIT EXPERIMENTAL 
STATION. 
-X- : 
V ERY frequently, and quite recently, a strong desire has been 
expressed in our columns for the establishment of gardens for 
experimental purposes, with the view to public instruction. It 
seems to be conceded that such agricultural experimental stations as 
those at Rothamsted and Woburn have been of great value to the 
farming community, and the same may be said of the stations in 
connection with the agricultural colleges at Downton and Ciren- 
cester. This being so, it may be taken for granted that a thoroughly 
equipped station in which experiments with hardy fruits of various 
kinds, as well as other useful garden crops, would not be less service¬ 
able to at least an equal number of cultivators, who will in¬ 
creasingly have to resort to what may be termed garden methods in 
the management of land to enable the greatest increase to be 
obtained from it. We are, whether for better or worse, entering 
on what may be termed a social revolution. That the inevitable 
changes which time is bound to bring will be disappointing to many 
no one can doubt, but it is earnestly to be hoped that they will be 
effected with a minimum amount of friction, as well as eventually 
result in a maximum amount of national contentment. In these 
days, and those before us, of small profits arising from land cultiva¬ 
tion exact knowledge on essential points is particularly needed, and 
certainly as much so by the great majority of small holders as any 
other class. This can only be acquired by systematic experiments 
under scientific direction, carried out by intelligent practical men. 
Woful indeed is the ignorance among the great mass of tillers of 
the soil cn the cultivation of hardy fruits. Trees and bushes are 
planted in thousands yearly, which, through errors in choice and 
rough methods in planting, also through non-pruning or wrong 
pruning, that cannot possibly be otherwise than disappointing; 
deplorable instances are only too apparent, and which could not have 
occurred had the planters possessed knowledge and brought this to 
bear in the work in hand. And so, too, in respect to important 
vegetables. Take the valuable and profitable crop the Onion. We 
have had evidence enough of late of its great enemy the fly and 
resulting maggot mastering would-be cultivators in various parts of 
the country. Yet, at the same time, proof of a few earnest men 
conquering the enemy, and being rewarded by crops of special value. 
Well-conducted experiments with various fruits as well as important 
vegetables, solely with the object of acquiring and disseminating 
information, could not fail to be of national benefit. 
Mach has been done by isolated and altogether commendable 
action by gardeners, but only comparatively few of these, in the 
press of multifarious duties and demands, have the requisite time 
and means to concentrate attention on given subjects, and conduct 
experiments systematically and continuously for arriving at definite 
issues ; and much of what is accomplished in a private way is 
regarded as very much of a private nature, though there are many 
generous exceptions. We appear to have no societies, nor are we 
likely to have any, rich enough and otherwise able, to establish and 
maintain from year to year strictly educational stations connected 
with horticulture. The strongest of them could not exist without 
shows, and these, with the exception of the Royal Horticultural 
Society, cannot be provided without the greater part of the income 
being expended in prizes. Shows of garden produce we must have. 
They have done great good in stimulating to higher culture and 
widening the interest in and expanding the industry of horticulture. 
No. 716.—Voii. XXVIII., Third Series. 
We want these, but something more—something that other countries 
have but we have not—experimental stations or schools of horticul¬ 
ture, call them what we may. These in a small way are likely to 
be forthcoming as provided by county councils, and they are bound 
to do great good in the districts. Derbyshire is showing the way 
under the guidance of our able coadjutor Mr. Edward Luckhurst, and 
there is a disposition in other counties to adopt similar methods. 
All this is good, but we want something more extensive and more 
complete, something in fact sufficiently comprehensive to attract the 
attention of the nation ; something wherein the object is not to 
make as much money as possible, but primarily to yield instruction 
by demonstrating right and wrong methods and results for the 
benefit of all who may need guidance on fruit culture and other 
useful adjuncts. 
For carrying out a project of the character indicated four 
essentials are imperative — 1, capital; 2, security; 3, scientific 
supervision ; 4, sound practical management. We are glad to believe 
that this combination is practically effected. England has not placed 
itself at the head of nations by a system of State-aided industries 
Patriotism and strenuous endeavour have come to the rescue in 
emergencies, and in time removed difficulties that at the moment 
appeared formidable. We may have lost the lead for a time in 
certain arts, but it has usually been regained by the persistent 
endeavour inherent in our race. Public-spirited men have rarely 
long been wanted before being forthcoming to help on any good work, 
and the work in question, an experimental fruit station, in extent 
adequate to present public requirements, is to be established by a 
noble Duke, who comes of a family whose ancestors, and one in 
particular, did much for agriculture, arboriculture, and horticulture in 
his day and generation—we mean John, Duke of Bedford. 
The present Duke, the proprietor of the greatest market for 
garden produce in the world—Covent Gaiden—and on whose grand 
patrimonial estate at Woburn agricultural experiments have been 
for some years conducted under the supervision of Dr. Voelcker, has 
set apart about twenty acres of land for an experimental fruit 
station, which he will establish and maintain. Here then is the 
first and most rare twin essential combination—capital and security. 
Of this station the Duke’s friend, Spencer Pickering, Esq., F.R.S., of 
Harpenden, will be the Honorary Scientific Director, and we think 
it is virtually settled that Mr. William Iggulden, who has been head 
gardener to the Earl of Cork and Orrery for thirteen years, may be 
the practical manager. Practical indeed he is, and something more, 
and this is essential—the association of literary attainments with 
sound cultural knowledge, A master of manipulative details in fruit 
culture, he is also one of the most ready and accurate writers in the 
gardening ranks. Mr. Iggulden’s attainments in the latter respect, 
acquired by persevering endeavour, have been of advantage to him 
in the past, and will probably be more so in the future. In the 
experiments in question exact records will be necessary and 
intelligent reports, and thus it is that he is considered qualified for 
the position in question. L’terary aspirants may do worse than 
endeavour to profit by his example. The secret of his success rests 
in his having sought untiringly for accuracy in expression, and not 
resting satisfied till he found it. 
The nature of the Woburn fruit experiments will be determined 
by the Director. It may be expected that they will be compre¬ 
hensive and exhaustive. They will, no doubt, have reference to 
trials of varieties, testing various forms of stocks, planting, pruning, 
manuring, preserving, and other matters appropriate to the subject of 
fruit culture, a correct register being kept of all processes and 
results. In a word, the work must be thorough, or it would not do to 
attempt it at Woburn. What the outcome of it will be, time alone 
can teU. If it should peradventure eventuate in such a work as 
Mr. Sinclair produced from long and exhaustive experiments with 
Grasses, Woburn will score another triumph worthy of its name. 
Sinclair’s work, the Uortus Gramineus \Vobur)i£usis, is a classic. 
It embodies the results of experiments on the produce and nutritive 
No. 2372.—VoL. XC., Old Series, 
