ROTHAMSTED STATION

Timaru Herald, Volume CXL, Issue 20261, 9 November 1935, Page 15

ROTHAMSTED STATION

ACQUIREMENT OF FREEHOLD A GREAT ACHIEVEMENT The story of how Rothamsted, the centre of all Empire agricultural learning and research, came to be saved for the nation is told in the report for 1934. Although Rothamsted Experimental Station is known all over the world, very few people realised that it did not own the land it cultivated nor even the land on which the laboratories were built. It was in the hands of the Lawes-Wittewrong family, and had been since 1623. Some was held on a monthly tenancy, some was subject to six months, and some to one year’s notice. The classical fields and certain others were on a long lease, but this would inevitably terminate. Builders were eating into the neighbouring fields at an alarming rate, so that the farm was rapidly acquiring building value. It was recognised by all concerned that the importance of the Rothamsted work demanded the safeguarding of the Rothamsted fields for all time, which could be secured only if the Rothamsted Trustees became the owners. Negotiations for purchase were begun in May, 1931; they were necessarily protracted; but the contract for purchase was signed in March 16, 1934, and the purchase was complete eight weeks thereafter, on May 18. The estate thus transferred consists of the Manor House, the farm manager’s house, eight cottages, Knott Wood, the site of the laboratories, the experimental and ordinary farm fields and sufficient land in addition to preserve the amenities of the house, and so keep it as an asset of value rather than a burden, and, even more important, sufficient land to enable the organisation to carry out field and farm experiments on a scale corresponding to the importance of the work. The total area of the land acquired was 527 acres. The basal price agreed was £30,000 without timber and subject to adjustments in regard to tithe"; also there were certain obligations as to fencing; the total cost including legal and surveyor’s expenses, timber, tithe adjustment, and all incidental charges, including also, certain reparations amounted to £35,000. The story of the collection of the sum by means of the co-operation of the Press is an interesting one. When it appeared that the subscriptions were hanging fire, Mr Robert McDougall, who had seen the appeal and the editor’s commendation in the “Manchester Guardian,” offered £15,000 and the Sir Halley Stewart Trust £SOOO, on condition that the full amount was collected in time. These noble gifts stimulated fullest activity. In addition, collections were made by village school teachers, by farmers and others on market days, while many working farmers sent their direct donations. Finally the Carnegie Trustees made success certain with a grant of £2OOO. The whole of the £35,000 was raised several days before the appointed time and the total cost of the appeal was only £4O.