| Description | Run by J B E Patterson, who took over in the early stages from W K Slater, the department provided a unique service both on the estate and in the area. The soil survey of South Devon was part of the general soil survey being made in Hampshire, North Wales, Shropshire, Kent, Northumberland, Somerset, Hereford and Scotland.
The research programme included investigations into: replacement of concentrates in the ration of milking cows by dried grass; possible causes and prevention of a disease affecting sheep at Hedge Barton Farm, Manaton, and comparisons with a similar condition in New Zealand; effects on the moisture content and composition of wilting freshly cut grass; co-operative work with the Agricultural Education Association on the composition of clay fractions; and effects of applications of high, medium and low soluble slags to swedes.
A report (May 1937) defines the work undertaken by the department as: general and routine analysis - done to ensure commodities are being bought of the desired quality and that supplies continue to be consistent with this; research and investigations - done to ensure the uniformity and quality of all Dartington products for sale in the open market; intelligence covers advisory work for the farms, orchards and gardens departments on soils and fertilisers.
Staff details in the folders include J B E Patterson's work on the ARP Committee during the Second World War.
There is also a set of bound Laboratory Bulletins dating from 1934 to 1939. |