MASSEY AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE

Evening Star, Issue 19699, 28 October 1927, Page 11

MASSEY AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE

PREPARING FOR WORK

[Per United Pukss Association.!

PALMERSTON N., October 27

Mr George Fowlds, Auckland, presided over ;i meeting ot the Massey Agricultural College Council at Palmerston North to-day. All the members at present in New Zealand were in attendance. The Chairman reported that alter several communications with the Minister of Agriculture it had been agreed that Mr 11. Lippincolt, Auckland, he appointed architect lor the college buildmgs. It was arranged that the architect should concentrate upon plans lor the dairy factory, in order to get that building under way us quickly as possible. 'When the plans are ready the council will again bo called* together to consider them, and tenders will be advertised for. Plans for the college buildings on the M‘Hardy Estate will be. proceeded with as soon as the dairy factory has been dealt wdth. The Chairman also reported that the Hairy Research Management Committee had agreed to bear half the cost_ of the temporary research accommodation and to pay for the necessary equipment. Arrangements for the erection of that accommodation were left in the hands of the chairman and the principal. A letter was icceivcd from the, secretary of the New Zealand Association advising that the estate of the late Mr Hodgson, Tamulicro, Waikato, would give to the college the pick ot its yearling pedigree Friesian heifers or this season’s heifer calves. This makes six pedigree Friesian heifers presented to the college and two pedigree Friesian hulls. Notifications of other intended gifts have been received. Tiie Acting Principal (Professor Peren) reported on the progress that had been made in sowing spring crops, fencing, and other work on the farm. The final docking tallies had shown that there had been a lambing percentage of 102. Further purchases of dairy cattle had been made. The erection ot milking sheds and piggeries had been pushed on. , The Dean of Dairying (Professor ludclct) reported that the ground plan of the dairv factory had now been finalised, and details concerning the hmfiling were ready to submit to the aiehitcet. Arrangements had been made with’ the Dairy Research Management Committee to caitv out the following investigations on the. college farm this year:—

(1) Study of the variation in dairy milk yield and the fat contents _ol cows’ in ilk over the complete lactation period, with the object of asceitaiiiing. the extent of the variation and causes contributing thereto. (2) Comparison of the Babcock. Gerber, and Hoybcrfj methods of testing milk for herd-testing purposes. (3) Comparison of the efficiency of the different makes of farm coolers for milk and cream. (4) Pig-feeding trial to ascertain the price realised for skim milk when (a) fed alone, and lb) fed with properlybalanced meal.mixture for pork production.

It has been arranged for students to be received early in the autumn. The council decided that the minimum age limit in short courses bo 16 years. Women students will also ha admitted.