Smith, P;
(2016)
The development of horticultural science in England, 1910-1930.
Doctoral thesis , UCL (University College London).
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Abstract
This thesis explores how horticultural science was shaped in England in the period 1910-1930. Horticultural science research in the early twentieth century exhibited marked diversity and horticulture included bees, chickens, pigeons,pigs, goats, rabbits and hares besides plants. Horticultural science was characterised by various tensions arising from efforts to demarcate it from agriculture and by internecine disputes between government organisations such as the Board of Agriculture, the Board of Education and the Development Commission for control of the innovative state system of horticultural research and education that developed after 1909. Both fundamental and applied science research played an important role in this development. This thesis discusses the promotion of horticultural science in the nineteenth century by private institutions, societies and scientists and after 1890 by the government, in order to provide reference points for comparisons with early twentieth century horticultural science. Efforts made by the new Horticultural Department of the Board of Agriculture and by scientists and commercial growers raised the academic status of horticultural science and the professional status of its practitioners. Horticulture is treated as a working world and the response of the commercial sector to research station science is analysed. In detailing the scientific investigations conducted by the state and the commercial sector, in discussing state consumer-oriented policies based on research station science and in examining responses of allotment holders and consumers of fruit and vegetables to these policies, this dissertation offers an original contribution to the history of the life sciences.
| Type: | Thesis (Doctoral) |
|---|---|
| Title: | The development of horticultural science in England, 1910-1930 |
| Event: | University College London |
| Open access status: | An open access version is available from UCL Discovery |
| Language: | English |
| Keywords: | Horticultural science, Horticulture, State patronage, Research stations, Commercial sector, Consumer-oriented policies, Pure and applied science |
| UCL classification: | UCL UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS > Faculty of Maths and Physical Sciences UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS > Faculty of Maths and Physical Sciences > Dept of Science and Technology Studies |
| URI: | https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/1522741 |
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