FARMERS' DAY.

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 19805, 18 December 1929, Page 6

FARMERS' DAY.

LINCOLN COLLEGE PRIZEGIVING. INSPECTION OF FARM. Threatcakig talker affected the attendance at Lincoln College yesterday f o-r Farmers-' Ds - '. but it did cot prevent it from reaching record proportions. The long of motor-cars pro-.■•--edi'--2 ircm cue parr of the farm •o -nothe' p-ovided eloaueiit testimony «"-" the merest taken in the inspection. , Dr F. W. Hilgecdorf was m cnarge r.- the arrangements for this, and was assisted b" a~«taff of lecturers who explained the various tests and experiments in progress. Mr J. W. Calder (a=si=tant, biologist', conducted the visitors over the clover, ryegrass, and cocksfoot plots, Mr D. J. Sidey an charge of animal nutrition; detailed tae work undertaken in rotational grazing, and Dr. Hilgendorf, in addition to conducting the farmers over the wheat experimental area, showed them the effects of applications of sodium chlorate on Californian thistle. During the day much intorest vas taken in the stock and pig-feeding experiments. A verv large marquee was completely filled with visitors for the luncheon., following which the presentation of diplomas and prizes won during the year took place. Mr John Deans, chairman of the Board of Governors, presided, and others at the principal table were the Hon. Mr de la PerreUe, the Hon. Ml Buddo, Mr H. S. S. Kyle, M.P., Mr J. K. A.reher (Mavor of Christchureh), Mr J. S. Neville (Town Clerk), Mr W. T. Foster (Mayor of Lyttelton), Mr H. A. Knight, Mr J. G. Herdman, Mr W. A. Bank 3, Mr E. MeGillivray (Fields Superintendent, Department of Agriculture), Mr E. E. Alexander (Director of the College), and Mr T. Stephens. After the loyal toast had been honoured, the chairman, on behalf of the Board, gave all a warm welcome. He said the attendance of the Mayor of Christchureh was the first indication that they had that the City knew of the existence of Lincoln. It was gratifying to see such a large attendance of farm- j ers; it appeared to be a record gather- ! ing. They were particularly gratified at the number of young farmers present, for the future lay with them. Chairman's Report. During the year, said Mr Deans, there were 45 students in residence. Of these, two were taking a post-graduate course, which was now completed; five completed the full year for the degree course; three others had to abandon it for various reasons. One of the degree students had completed his course and would, it was hoped, gain the degree this year. Nine students completed the diploma course and gained the diploma of the College. The progress of the students had been on the whole most satisfactory, and very favourable reports were received in regard to their work and conduct. Since its inception 292 diploma students had passed through the College, and were engaged in farming all over the Dominion, or were in responsible Government positions. A very pleasing and flattering testimony to the value of the diploma had reached them recently from Tasmania, together with a suggestion that diploma students should indicate that they were holders of the diploma by attaching such letters as "Dip., C.A.C.," to their names. The Board heartily approved the suggestion, and would like to see it 'adopted. Some 37 ex-students had qualified for the Degree of B.Ag. under the N.Z. University, and were employed either by the Agriculture or Education Departments, private firms, or by Agriculture Departments in other countries outside New Zealand, and in no case, so far as was known, had a degree student failed to satisfy his employers. With regard to next year, the number of applications was greater than the accommodation available, and the Board was considering ways and means of providing extra accommodation. Not only was the enrolment a record one, but the anxiety on the part of parents to get their boys in was very great. There have been one or two changes in the staff during the year. Mr Murray, who acted as veterinary surgeon for a couple of years, had left and had gone to Uganda. His place would be taken during the next few days by Mr Leslie, of Edinburgh. Mr Graham, who had been looking after the stock, had also left. The sheep were now under the care of Mr J. Linton. An Increased Grant. • "We have just completed negotiations with the Government for an increased grant for our teaching staff," said Mr Deans. "We propose to appoint additional lecturers in chemistry, engineering, entomology, and field husbandry. With this increase in the staff we shall be able to cater more fully for both diploma and degree students, and for winter classes which were successfully inaugurated last year. The attendance at the winter classes was 30, and promises materially to exceed that number next year. An arrangement has been entered into for the reconstruction of the farm buildings, which will be started almost immediately. This renovation is not too soon, as the buildings in their present state are not a credit to the College.' Arrangements have been completed with the Agriculture Department for its activities to be conitnued side by side with ours. We hope to carry out some harvesting trials in conjunction with the Wheat Research Institute. We also intend to lay down a number of plots for the purpose of clarifying certain statements which have been made in regard to the value of South Island grasses. On the animal nutrition side the possibilities of the opening up of the pork market are still being explored. Type, breed, and feeding are all factors which are being investigated. Trials of meat meal, which were originally started in pigs, have been extended to calves, sheep, and cows. Proprietary foods are also under test. An experiment is now being conducted to determine the cause of fishy taint in bacon, another with regard to the lack of iodine in

:heep. in reference to fecundity, fatten- ' ing, nutrition, and their general health. ' t A great deal of interesting data in regard *c the winter feeding of cows and sh.e-._p has been collected. Another matter that is receiving attention is the use of mineral licks. Our outside schemes consist of farm eosting and accounting in charge of Mr Weston, who j is co-operating with farmers in the dis- i trict. and is compiling some very useful j data. Other activities are farm man- ; agemect and grazing trials conducted j bv anotbv. r member of the staff, and I l-\z recording, which has already sup- j plied us 'with some most valuable in- ; formation that will be of the utmost j use to pig farmers. In conjunction j with the Department of Scientific and j Industrial Research we are tmdertak- j ins: what we hope will develop into a ! wool research scheme. Our activities ] during the past year have consisted in j the collection of Corriedale and Romney fleeces. The thanks of the Board are \ due to donors of special prizes, and to I tee following for allowing the students to visit their premises:—Sir Heaton Rhodes, Mr James Deans, X.Z. Refrigerating Co.. Central Dairy Co., Dalgety and Co., "Wright, Stephenson and Co.. Kemnthorne, Pro-sser and Co., and P. and D. Duncan. Ltd. The Board feels that some use could be made of the College as a demonstration area for students or pupils of the secondary schools in the* surrounding districts, and also that a more complete system of co-operation between our agricultural organisations and manufacturers would increase the efficiency of research work and bring farmers and the College closer together. In furtherance of this a suggestion has been made that the Agricultural and Pastoral Association, Manufacturers' Association, Farmers' Union, Sheepowners' Union, and this College should co-operate in formulating and carrying out research work. We hope that a committee to bring this into effect will be set up in the near future, and can assure the other interested bodies of our hearty support. " "Justifying Its Existence." Proposing the toast of "The Board of Governors," Mr Archer said the chairman was not quite right in suggesting that that was his first visit to Lincoln; but it was the first time that he had been at Lincoln College. He was delighted to be present. It seemed once that there might not be a Lincoln College to which to come, but that time had passed. It was justifying its existence, as the chairman had shown in the particulars he had given of its valuable and extensive work. City people knew that when the farmers prospered it was good for everybody, and they were disappointed that the men on the land would not get the returns they had expected. The Board was composed of capable and energetic men, who were doing their work conscientiously. Mr Buddo, who responded, said that while Board members were perhaps merely doing their duty, it was a pleasure to be able to do something for the farmers on whom the country so much depended. The record attendance showed the increase in popularity of the College. In the past it had not blown its horn as loudly as it might have, but it had not quite been exterminated. Mr Buddo reminded those present that the College was their own institution, and he welcomed them to look over their own property. What he wanted to impress on them that day, he said, was that they had not seen any waste. The drains were kept clean and the fences cut, and the College was carried on as they would conduct their own farms. In the struggle which Canterbury had to keep the fat stock market supplied not sufficient attention was given to the important matter of early cultivation. The College existed for the teaching of the theory and practice of farming, and a great number of the students found their way back into the ranks of the ordinary fanners, to whom they were an object lesson and a source of information. The Prize list. The awards were then announced by Mr Alexander and the prizes handed by Mr Deans to "the successful students, who were heartily applauded. The following was the prize list:— Diploma*—J. B. Upton (Ashburton), gold medallist, 1; E. H. Chamberlain (Auckland), Leonard White Cup for second highest in aggregate: D. N. Ferguson (Invercargill), 3; K. W. Throp (Dunedin), 4; D. M. G. Blaikie (Gore), 5; A. B. Ward (Danravirke), 6; E. W. Kerr (Cave), 7; G. E. Jones (Timaru), 6; W. J. McLeay (South America), 9. Special Prizes —Second year scholarship for student obtaining highest aggregate marks in annual examinations for year: C. P. Tebb and R. F. White (equal). First year scholarship for student obtaining highest aggregate marks in annual examinations, for second year: N. H. Chapman. Pyne, Gould, Guinness Cup for estimating prices of live stock at Addington (third year students): H F. Seymour. Marcroft challenge medal and Wreford Beed memorial cup, for best knowledge of stock: H. F. Seymour. X.Z. Befrigerating Co.'s Perpetual challenge cup, for estimating prices of freezing sheep and lambs at Addington: K. W. Throp David Sidey challenge medal and Wright, Stephenson's special prize, for best and neatest farm worker C. P. Tebb; runner-up, A. Burnett. G. Osborne's prize for horsemanship: C. P. Tebb. Mr J. A. Henley's special prize for economics ■ J. B. Upton. Ashburton A. and P. Association's prize for shepherding, shearing, and knowledge of wool: E. H. Chamberlain. Class Prizes—Third year—Practical agriculture : J. B. Upton 1, E. H. Chamberlain 2. Agriculture: K. W. Throp 1, J. E. Upton 2. Botany-mycology: D. X. Fergnson 1, E. H. Chamberlain 2. Surgery: K. W. Throp 1, D. X. Ferguson 2. Economics: J. B. Upton 1, G. E. Jones 3. Surveying: E. H. Chamberlain 1, D. If. Ferguson 2. Second year—Practical agriculture: A. Burnett 1, W. K. Gray 2. Agriculture: C. H. Upham and W. Bobinson (equal) 1. Veterinary medicine: C. H. Upham 1, C. P. Tebb 2. Zoology: M E. S. Lockhart 1, R. V. Whits 2. Chemistry: C. P. Tebb and K. F. White (equal) 1. Engineering: C. P. Tebb and R. F. White (equal) 1. Bookkeeping: C. P. Tebb 1, C. H. Upham 2. Addington competitions: D. Kennedy 1, A. Xewman 2. Firs,t year—Practical agriculture: X. H. Chapman 1, J. R, W. Smith 2. Agriculture: N. H. Chapman 1, J. Bobinson 2. Botany: X. H. Chapman 1, J. Robinson 2. Chemistry: X. H. Chapman 1, G. P. Brown 2. Anatomy and physiology: X. H. Chapman 1, G. P. Brown 2. Engineering: X. H. Chapman 1, J. E. C. Kilian 2. Book-keeping and economics: X. H. Chapman 1, J. Robinson 2. Addington competitions: G. P. Brown 1, X. H. Chapman 2.